


f o . 









' ^ 


0^ 








.^ 


-^c^^ 






\^:.^ 


.-, , 


''^^. 










^^^ 


^^' 










%■ 


'- 








1 6 . 


^<." 


^ < 


. X* 






\'>- 



-;?• ' ff 






^ '^, ^% 



A^O. 


















- % 





<^ s 


- 




'\ ^- ' 


,.'^ 










A 


"oo^ 









.^■ 



.^^ 





















>■*•• 



^%^ 
A^'% 



V ^ >v 



s^-^^. 



,v\^ .^^^'' , 'o. 



^.'^^S^ 



<^ ' r; , V * v'\ 



aH -r 






^ 















,0- 



' " . '"6 



- .^^ 






>^." .^' 



/ V 



■<> V 






n:^'^- 'Ito 


fejr 


7 


• •>', -' ^ 


54>l<^ 


P * 




5sy-S*^ 


" V 


C,°~"»/'b-' 


il "^ 


-o"" 


-iS-^s '' '-> 




^.> 



^/ 






x^^., 



^x. 






if .\^ 



'>-. . <^ ■ 






^v 



-u 






o. 



•0* V 









v\ ^ 






^ A^^^""^-^. 



.-J. 









o '^• 






,x-«^^^. 



^y . - ^ 



" . o^. 



oo^ 



-^^ v^^ 





















^ % ' ■ 


\^-' ^^ 


.?v ^^ 


■'j^. ■. 


, %:" 




-^^^^ 


%' 










/■ ^'X 


^ -'^^_ a:«^ 


,s^% 






'.o"^! 





.0 0. 



.'^-^ 'ci- 






vV 



ANNALS OF 



THE EFMGELICAL ASSOCIATION 
Of NORTH AMERICA 



AND 



History of the United Evangelical Cliurcli 



BY 

REV. A.^ STAPLETON, M. S. 

Author of Natural History of the Bible. 



The Lord has donr great things for us, 
whereof we are glad.^Psalms cxxvz.j. 



published by 

Publishing House op the Un.teb Evxngelica. Church 

harrisburg, penna. 

TOGO 



78789 



Library of Cong ro^^ 

1vvc Copies Received i 
NOV 21 1900 

Copyright entry 

H...a'Mk 

SECONO COPY 

Ddivered to 

ORDtft DIV«ION 
JAN SI 1901 



,i 



1 



6 



4> 



f)> c^% 



Copyrighted in the year 1896 
5v THE Board of Publication 

OF THE 

iJNiTED Evangelical Church. 




\ i.-\« «r «b.' tir'.J ( hun li .m.l i'l i„f ,„_. (»n i il,.- I'x ..n.... Ii. .A \- 



AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION, 



•*We take no note of time 
But from its loss. To give it then a tongue 
Is wise in man." — Young. 

Almost a cent\iry has passed by since the ecclesiastical foundations of the 
Evangelical Association were laid, and the hands that, under the Providence of 
God, gathered the materials, have long since been folded in death. Yea, even 
the immediate successors of our Church fathers are already growing old and fast 
passing away. One by one the few remaining links are being broken, and soon 
our aged Evangelical pilgrims, who in their youth came in contact with, and under 
the influence of our early pioneers, will also have joined the triumphant Evan- 
gelical host beyond the tide. 

The Evangelical Association has come to her present position through many 
severe trials and tribulations. No denomination originating in America has a 
more interesting history than our Evangelical Zion. 

Although several histories of the Association have been published, all excel- 
lent in their way, it has nevertheless been felt for many years that one of the 
most interesting phases of her history has been passed over too lightly by previous 
authors. This deficiency the author of this work has endeavored to supply in 
the first part of this volume, in the recovery of the names of early members and 
preaching places, as well as incidents connected with the establishment of the 
work by our early preachers. 

The publication of this work is the consummation of a long and fondly 
cherished desire of the author. There are many things connected with it which 
to him seem providential. In early youth it was his good fortune to be a member 
of several of the first classes of the Association, in which were still found some of 
the original members, who had much to say about ALBRIGHT and his co-laborers. 
Many of these old people had very clear and distinct recollections of the stirring 
scenes of the olden times. In course of time the knowledge thus gained was 
reduced to notes, without any regard to their connection with the history of the 
Association. The accumulation of so many interesting facts and incidents pertain- 
ing to the olden time, naturally found expression in a desire for their preservation 
in a permanent form. 

A circumstance very remarkable and worthy of record, is the fact that so 
many very aged people kept alive and cherished in their memories the knowledge 
of facts pertaining to our early denominational history, in the hope of some day 



i^ AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 

commttnicating it to the right person for publication. Some of these people 
communicated important matters to their children, and in this way many of the 
facts here recorded were preserved. 

Our older preachers often expressed a desire that the names of the old 
appointments and first members might be recovered for the benefit of posterity, 
before all the sources of information should be forever closed. This desire the 
author has endeavored to meet in the publication of this work, which was under- 
taken, as he firmly believes, none too soon, seeing that most of the sources of 
information from which materials of the first part were gathered, have passed 
away since the work was commenced, and much of the matter could not again 
be reproduced from the sources now at command. 

There are doubtless some errors in this work, as may be expected in such a 
vast mass of details, embracing many hundreds of names and dates. Yet the 
author confidently believes that such errors are few in number. Neither pains 
nor expense have been spared to secure accuracy. Records in the state and 
county archives have been examined to ascertain facts, and to verify such as 
were doubtful. 

The oldest living preachers of the Association co-operated with a zeal which 
evinced their deep interest in the work. Among them may be mentioned father 
Joseph M. Saylor, who entered the ministry in 1824, and was a contemporary 
of some of the first preachers of the Association. He not only furnished a large 
amount of material, but also reviewed a considerable portion of the copy pertain- 
ing to the first circuits. Father Francis Hoffman, who entered the ministry 
in 1826, also did considerable in the same line. To father Daniel Long (1835) 
the author owes his first knowledge of Albright's work in Bedford county, and 
other important matters, but while gathering fuller details for this work, he was 
suddenly called to his eternal reward. Father Joseph Harlacher (1832) also 
rendered valuable services. The recovery of the names of early preaching places 
and members in Ohio is largely due to fathers Lewis Einsel (1836), Daniel 
SwARTZ (1835), Abraham Loehner (1837), and Ch. Idleman. The latter 
was one of the first converts in northwestern Ohio. The four last named brethren 
traveled in Ohio when most of the appointments established by our first mission- 
aries were still maintained. A great many other brethren, both ministerial and 
lay, co-operated heartily in the preparation of this work, some going to great 
pains to ascertain or verify facts. Without their help this work could never have 
been accomplished. 

To the reader who is not a member of the Evangelical Association it may 
seem strange that so much attention has been paid to the laity, and matters of 
family history. This feature finds its explanation in the following grounds : The 
author holds that men who were willing to come out from among the formal 
churches and espouse the cause of Evangelical truth in the face of bitter perse- 
cution, and opened their houses as preaching places, which often required great 
sacrifices, deserve a wider recognition than has been hitherto accorded them. 
Another reason is the fact that most of these old fathers became centers of 
Evangelical influence. Their houses served as preaching places until churches 
were built, and in many cases they provided for the maintenance of public worship 



AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. ▼ 

at their homes after their death. There are homesteads now in the Evangelical 
Association where preaching appointments have been maintained ever since the 
days of the founder of the Church ; a period of almost one century. 

A great many of the first families of the Association were among the most 
prominent in their respective communities. This is contrary to a generally received 
opinion. We have for many years been misrepresented in this respect, and the 
reproach has been laid at our doors that our early members and adherents were 
composed of the ignorant classes and gathered from the humbler walks of life. 
From a careful study of this subject, we can assure the reader that this opinion 
is an erroneous one, as the following chapters will abundantly show. It required 
no small degree of moral courage for them to abandon the formal churches with 
which they stood connected. Many of them were officers in these churches, and 
cases were not infrequent in which their former pastors incited their parishioners 
to violent measures to prevent them from receiving the ^^ false prophets,'''' as our 
first preachers were called. 

In this connection it may be observed that most of the early conversions 
were deep and powerful. This assertion must not be understood as implying 
that conversions now are less genuine. The spiritual condition of the masses at 
that time was at such a low ebb, and such erroneous opinions respecting the 
character of experimental religion prevailed, that when people were thoroughly 
converted to God, its immediate effects upon the individual, as well as these with 
whom he came in contact, were far more powei-ful than at the present time. 
The converts then were especially drawn to God in prayer. They sometimes 
gave pledges to each other of special remembrance in prayer. When such per- 
secution as they endured is prevalent, it requires special grace to remain faithful. 
Although denounced by their formal pastors as heretics, and in many cases 
disowned and disinherited by parents and relatives, they held out well, and their 
inspiring examples still live among us to incite us to follow, as they did, the 
footsteps of the Lord Jesus, and ever reminding us that 

"By the thorn road, and none other. 
Is the mount of vision won." 

The preparation of the second and third parts of this book was less difficult, 
as the sources of information were more accessible. The works of Orwig, 
Raidabaugh,,Breyfogel and Yeakel, and also the periodical literature of 
the Church, were freely consulted. To the many friends who have rendered 
valuable aid, and above all, to our dear Heavenly Father, who has blessed us with 
health and the spi'-it of perseverance for the successful accomplishment of our 
arduous but agreeable task, we give our most heartfelt thanks. 

A. STAPLETON. 

Berwick, Pa. 



THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 



PART I. 

Containing an Account of the Origin and Development 
OF the Evangelical Association Through the Labors of 
REV. JACOB ALBRIGHT and His Co-Laborers. Also 
AN Account of the Early Preaching Places and of Prom- 
inent Laymen. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 

The Pennsylvania Germans — The Immigration to America. 
Their Spiritual Condition — Awakening Among Them. 
Conversion of Jacob Albright, and beginning of his 
work. 

The Peimsylvailia Germatis. The Evangelical Asso- 
ciation of North America owes its origin, under the providence 
of God, to the labors of Rev. Jacob Albright and his co-laborers 
amongthe Pennsylvania Germans. As our early preachers labored 
exclusively among this people, and as they have a dialect, cus- 
toms and traits of character peculiarly their own, a brief history 
of them seems proper in this connection. 

The Pennsylvania Germans were mostly emigrants from the 
Palatinate, or Lower Rhinish provinces of Germany. Prior to 
1702 very few Germans had settled in Pennsylvania. The first 
settlement by them was made in 1683, when a small colony under 
Pastorius founded Germantown, now a part of Philadelphia. 
This was the beginning of one of the most remarkable emigrations 
of modern times, chiefly because such a large proportion of the 
emigrants represented a distinct division of the great Germanic 
race. So large indeed was this proportion, that it absorbed and 
assimilated in a great measure all other racial elements with which 
it came in contact, and thus were laid in America the foundations 
of a new and distinct Germanic people, differing widely in many 
respects from the typical native of the Fatherland. 

In this we see the necessity for inquiring more minutely into 
the circumstances which led to this remarkable development. 



10 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

The Huguenots. There is no more eventful period in 
modern history than the close of the seventeenth century. Oct. 
i8, 1685, marked the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, by 
Louis XIV. of France. In 1598 Henry IV. granted religious 
tolerance to French Protestants who were called Huguenots, and 
by its revocation Louis XIV. kindled anew the fires of persecu- 
tion against them. He deprived them of all exercise of their 
religion, and tore their children from them to be educated as 
Catholics. He was very ambitious of the fame that would attach 
to the extirpation of heresy from his dominions. Notwithstand- 
ing his tyrannical decree against the emigration of his unhappy 
subjects, and the strict guard on his borders, great multitudes 
escaped the vigilance of his guards and spies, and in a few years 
over half a million of the best and most intelligent people of the 
nation had fled the country, many thousands of whom in course 
of time found a congenial refuge on the shores of the New World,* 
and many of their descendants were among the first to open their 
doors to Albright and his co-laborers. 

The Meimotiites. About this same time the Mennonites were 
also bitterly persecuted, especially in Switzerland, and thousands 
fled to Holland and the Lower Rhine provinces, and later came 
to Pennsylvania. The Mennonitc emigration properly began in 
1709. In 1706, or 1707, the Mennonites of the Canton of Bern, 
Switzerland, sent several agents to London to make arrangements 
with William Penn for the settlement of a large number of their 
people in his province, f Soon thereafter the envoys came direct 
to Pennsylvania, and after considerable exploration selected a 
very fine tract of 10,000 acres on the north side of Pequea Creek, 
now in Strasburgh township, Lancaster county. The title was 
perfected Oct. 10, 1710, and the land divided according to 
previous arrangement the following April 27, 1711.I In a few 
decades thousands of these conscientious and peaceable people 
had found homes in Pennsylvania. 

The Palatinates. In 1688 Heidelberg was taken the sec- 
ond time by the French Papists and laid in ashes. Like the 
Phoenix of old it arose again from its ruins, only to be stormed 
and destroyed again by the same inveterate enemy in 1693. 
The panic-stricken inhabitants were compelled to flee from the 

* Bancroft says the United States are full of monuments of this Huguenot 
emigration. 

f Col. Records iii. p. 397. \ Rupp's Hist, of Lancaster county, p. 75. 



THE EARL Y DA TS. 11 

relentless foe in the darkness of the night. Manheim, Speyer 
and Worms were also pillaged and partly destroyed, and the whole 
region was laid waste and desolate by the wanton fury of the 
Papists. 

The unfortunate inhabitants were, however, induced to rebuild 
their ruined homes again under promise of religious freedom, and 
immunity from taxes for a certain length of time. In this they 
were cruelly deceived by their Elector, who doubtless acted on 
the Papistical principle then prevalent, that promises made to 
heretics should not be redeemed. Betrayed by their heartless 
Elector, and despoiled by their old enemy, the French, they were 
well nigh driven to despair. 

Emigration to Peimsylvaiiia. Queen Ann of England 
issued a proclamation in 1708, inviting the persecuted, long- 
suffering Palatinates to her dominion, and before the end of the 
year nearly 12,000 of them were quartered in warehouses and 
tents in London and vicinity. Stripped of all their earthly 
possessions they were very poor, and were supported by the gov- 
ernment and the munificent charity of the queen. 

The presence of so many thousand indigent foreigners became 
a serious burden to England, and plans were devised to transport 
them to the Provinces. In the summer of 17 10 about 3,000 who 
had lived on the bounty of Queen Ann, were shipped to New 
York. One large party, under Rev. Kocherthal, settled at 
Schoharie, New York. Trouble, however, arose, and the Ger- 
mans became dissatisfied, many gradually working their way to 
Pennsylvania, and were the first Palatinates in the province. 
Their dissatisfaction soon became known to their kindred in 
Europe, and thereafter New York was shunned by them. In 
1723 the proprietaries of New York invalidated the titles of the 
Schoharie settlers and they came to Pennsylvania that same winter, 
suffering incredible hardships in traveling through the wilderness. 
In this company was the famous Conrad Weiser, afterwards 
Colonial Indian agent and interpreter. This colony settled on 
the Tolpehocken, fifteen miles northwest of Reading, Pa. 

While the English emigration was comparatively insignifi- 
cant, the Germans from the Lowlands and the war- scourged 
Palatinate poured into the province at a rapid rate. James 
Logan, provincial secretary, wrote the proprietor in 17 17, **We 
have of late a great number of Palatinates pouring in upon us 
without any recommendation or notice, which gives the country 



12 EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

some uneasiness, for foreigners do not so well among us as our 
ovm English people." Two years later Jonathan Dickinson 
wrote, *^ We are daily expecting ships from London which bring 
over Palatinates in number six or seven thousand." In 171 7 
Gov. Keith appeared before the Colonial Council with a state- 
ment that great numbers of foreigners from Germany, who were 
strangers to the language and customs, were dispersing themselves 
immediately after landing, ** without producing certificates from 
whence they came, or what they are," etc. This was considered 
dangerous to the colony, and led to the adoption of a measure 
which has preserved the names of upwards of 30,000 male emi- 
grants, (Germans), as all males sixteen years old and upwards 
were thereafter compelled to subscribe to an oath, or article of 
allegiance to the English government and obedience to the Colo- 
nial authorities. This was equivalent to the naturalization of the 
present day. The lists containing these names are among the 
most precious treasures in the archives of the Commonwealth. 

In 1727 no less than six vessels arrived in Philadelphia, well 
laden with Palatinates, followed in 1728 by three more vessels, and 
the same number in 1729. The Palatine emigration, however, 
was unprecedented from 1730 to 1740, as no less than sixty-five 
ship-loads arrived. In 1730 the region west of the Susquehanna 
river was opened to settlement, and what are now York and 
Adams counties were soon filled up with Germans. Thousands 
also mingled with the Scotch Irish in the fertile Cumberland 
Valley, and many Palatine settlements were made in Maryland 
and in the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, as far south as Shen- 
andoah and Rockbridge counties. <^When George Washington 
and others were surveying lands in that part of Virginia in April, 
1748, they were attended by a great company of people, men, 
women and children, who followed them through the woods. They 
would never speak English, but when spoken to would always 
speak Dutch"* (German). In 1742 the Germans of Pennsylva- 
nia were estimated to number ioo,ooo,t and in many sections 
formed fully nine-tenths of the inhabitants. After the treaty of 
l^ort Stanwix, Nov. 5, 1758, the rich and fertile valleys of the 
west and northwest were penetrated by the Germans, and some 
extensive settlements were made by them west of the main ridge 
of the Allegheny mountains, prior to the war of the Revolution. 

* Sparks' Washington, Vol. ii. 418. f Horn's History of Lehigh Co., p. 23. 



THE EARL7 DAYS. 13 

Their Language. The language spoken by the Pennsyl- 
vania Germans is a slight variation of the soft and beautiful dialect 
•still prevailing in the Palatinate (German *^Ffaltz^^). This dia- 
lect in America retains its grammatical forms, but has acquired 
some additional idiomatic features, and a curious intermixture 
of English words which have been adapted to it. As a dialect 
it holds a place between High and Low German. By many it is 
supposed that *' Pennsylvania Dutch'* is merely a corrupt German 
and English. The reader will see that this is not the case. As 
originally spoken it is one of the finest and softest dialects of the 
^reat Teutonic tongue. Some fine works have been published in 
this dialect, notably those of Rev. H. Harbaugh, Prof. Horn, 
and Henry Fisher, Esq. 

Their Religious Couditioti. The German emigration to 
Pennsylvania, as already indicated, was mainly the result of relig- 
ious intolerance in the Fatherland. The co-religionists generally 
settled together. The Mennonites and Dunkards mostly located 
in Lancaster county. The Schwenkfelders, most of whom arrived 
in 1734,* settled in a section now embraced in Berks, Lehigh and 
Montgomery counties. The Moravians, under the patronage of 
Count Zinzendorfjf settled in the Lehigh Valley, in 1741, and 
founded the towns of Bethlehem and Nazareth. The Lutherans 
and Reformed, who were mostly Palatinates, and formed the bulk 
of emigrants, spread themselves more generally over the country. 

Strange as it may seem, the strong tide of religious feeling 
which led to this influx of Germans seems to have subsided in a 
^reat measure soon after their establishment here. Their new 
surroundings may have contributed to this condition. It became 
a hand-to-hand struggle for subsistence. For more than a quar- 
ter of a century they had no pastors, and religious training was 
wofully neglected. This statement has particular reference to 
the Palatinates. 

♦They came in the ship St. Andrew, Sept. 12, 1734 (Col. Records iii. 568). 
Among them were the Yeakels, Schuberts, Huebners, Kribels, Hoffmans. 

f NiKOLAUS LuDWiG (Count Von Zinzendorf ). Born 1700, died 1760. A 
German nobleman of deep piety. He espoused the faith of the Moravians, 
who were then reduced to a mere handful through the religious persecutions then 
prevalent. He invited them to settle on his estates, which they did, and founded 
the town of Herrnhut. Z. was made a minister and bishop of the reorganized 
•church, and thereafter was its leader until his death. He established numerous 
Moravian colonies. He was the author of more than one hundred works in 
prose and poetry. 



14 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Although there were some congregations formed as early as 
1735, still the great mass of the people were strangers to the 
sanctuary. In 1 742 the noted Lutheran divine, Henry Melchiofl 
Muhlenberg,* was sent from the Fatherland to look after the 
spiritual interests of the Lutherans in Pennsylvania. He found 
the spiritual condition of his countrymen most deplorable, and in 
letters published in the Halliche Nachrichten, describes their con- 
dition in a vivid manner. In 1746 Rev. Michael Schlatter, "f 
a Reformed minister from Switzerland, came to Pennsylvania, 
on a similar mission. His communications to the home church, 
convey the same sad story of spiritual decline. In 1752 there 
were but sixteen Reformed congregations, having regular pastors, 
in a Reformed population of thirty thousand souls. 

The war of the Revolution likewise had a demoralizing effect 
on the Pennsylvania Germans. Intemperance, especially, became 
alarmingly prevalent among them. Their pastors seldom raised 
a hand to stem this rising tide of evil. Many of the clergy con- 
doned the use of ardent spirits and, alas ! in many instances were 
themselves openly intemperate. This was overlooked by their 
people, who regarded it as only a ^^Fehler^* (an infirmity) in 
their preacher, about which it was best not to say anything. 

Begimiiiigs of Religious Revival. It is gratifying ta 
know that the darkness and spiritual ignorance of this period was 
relieved by many burning and shining lights. Signs of promise 
multiplied, and harbingers of better days everywhere appeared. 
While we would not disparage the influence of the great Wesleyan. 
revival in England, and its spread in America through the preaching 
of that man of God, George Whitefield, still it is a remarkable 
•fact that many conversions of prominent men were brought about 
spontaneously, a considerable number of the ministry and laity 
in nearly all denominations professing conversion, and becoming 

* Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, D. D. Born at Einbeck, Germany, 
171 1, died 1787. A distinguished German divine. He was sent by the Univer- 
sity of Halle to organize and promote the interests of the Lutheran Church in 
America. He is justly regarded as the founder of the church in America. Several 
of his sons became men of great distinction. Muhlenberg and his sons were 
great patriots during the war of the Revolution. 

f Rev. Michael Schlatter. Born in Switzerland 1716, died 1790. Edu- 
cated at St. Gall. Sent by the synods of Holland 'to organize the Reformed 
Church in Pennsylvania. In 1 75 1 he went to Europe and secured six missionaries, 
with whom he returned to Pennsylvania. He was a patriot in the war of the 
Revolution, for which he was imprisoned by the British. 



THE EARL T DA TS. 15 

dissatisfied with the cold and formal worship of the times. This 
was the state of affairsabout the close of the Revolutionary War. 

Among those who cried aloud and spared not, was the Men- 
nonite preacher, Martin Boehm.* He was brought to see his 
own unconverted state, and after experiencing God's saving grace 
in his own heart, he became a strong advocate and forcible 
expounder of experimental religion in his church. His fearless 
denunciation of sin and his views on experimental religion were 
so radical as to constitute a great gap between him and his corelig- 
ionists. The spirit of toleration was then almost unknown, and 
BoEHM was excluded from the Mennonite Church. His influence, 
however, was felt powerfully among the people of that denomi- 
nation, and contributed in a marked degree to preparing the way 
for the great success of later evangelists. 

A well defined movement was also about this time noticeable 
in the Reformed Church. William OxxERBEiNjf one of the 
prominent preachers of that church, began to preach Evangelical 
repentance and conversion in a very forcible manner, and made 
profound impressions. George Adam Guething, John G. 
Phruemer, and Anthony Houtz, all of the Reformed Church, 
became earnest preachers of repentance and conversion. The 
two former associated themselves with Otterbein and Boehm, 
and became prominent ministers of the United Brethren Church. 
Mention should also be made of John Neidig, of Dauphin county, 
Felix Light, of Lebanon county, and Christian Newcomer. I 

*Rev. Martin Boehm was bom in Lancaster county, Pa. in 1725. He 
became a Mennonite preacher in 1756. Five or six years later he was excluded 
from that denomination, *'for holding fellowship with other societies of a 
different language." Thereafter he was an active co-worker in the Evangelical 
movement of the times, and became one of the founders of the United Brethren 
in Christ, of which church he was made a bishop in 1800. After a long life of 
signal usefulness, he died in Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1812. 

f Philip \\ illiam Otterbein. Born in Germany 1726, died in Baltimore, 
Md., 1813. Was one of the Reformed missionaries sent by the Holland Synod to 
America in 1752. Became pastor of a Reformed Church at Lancaster, Pa., and 
later at Baltimore, Md. Many revivals and conversions followed his preaching. 
He was associated with Martin Boehm, and through their labors the movement 
which resulted in the formation of the United Brethren Church was brought about. 

I Rev. Christian Newcomer, whose name occurs prominently in this 
work, was a son of Wolfgang Newcomer, and was born in Lancaster county, 
Pa., 1749. He began to preach in 1787, and was a member of the first United 
Brethren Conference in 1 789. He was elected as bishop of that denomination 
in 1818. He labored with great zeal in that capacity until March 12, 1 830, when 
he died at his home near Hagerstown, Md. 



16 E VANOELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

Separation from the Old Churches. We have now out- 
lined the beginning of the Reformation among the Pennsylvania 
Germans. The churches for the most part being closed against 
these men of God, they were compelled to preach in houses and 
barns and on the streets. Hundreds of people opened their houses 
as regular preaching places. There was, however, a strong aver- 
sion on the part of many against leaving the old churches where 
they had rendered their confirmation vows. Many of the laity 
were excluded from the churches for following after or abetting 
the so-called ^^^^fr^Z/Vi-,^* but the churches soon discovered that 
thereby they excluded their bestj their graying people, and were 
glad enough to retain them if possible. Many of these preach- 
ing places were open to all preachers who were approved and 
converted vciQTi of God. Bishop Newcomer*s journal reveals the 
fact that he frequently preached at the houses of persons who 
had connected themselves with Albright's society, and the same 
is probably true of nearly all the **New Measure'* preachers of 
that day. Therefore it follows that because some prominent 
member of the old churches opened his house as a regular preach- 
ing place, we must not at once conclude that he left his church. 
The converted people of the various churches often met as an 
unorganized society — if such an expression is allowable — calling 
themselves *' Brethren." Later they became **The United Breth- 
ren. " Still later, when the number of those professing conversion 
was considerable, it became quite common to speak of them as 
a class, as *^die bekehrte Leuf* (the converted people), and the 
adherents of the old churches a.s*'"dte Kirche lent** (the church 
people). 

While it is an undeniable fact that the spirit of sectarianism is 
an evil in the Christian church, it is also true that the lack of 
organization and administrative powers is an evil equally deplor- 
able. At first view there is something noble in the thought of 
coming out and standing aloof from a cold and dead church, and 
seeking the genial warmth of true devotion burning on other altars, 
but this spirit of independence and non-allegiance to church 
organization is found to be an evil in practice. It weakens the 
incentives to support the cause of the church, her ministry, her 
ordinances and her work. This fact soon became apparent to 
the many gospel workers of the various denominations who for 
several years had labored independently of the denominations 
with which they were formally connected. In 1789 a number 



THE EARLY DATS. 17 

of them, under the leadership of Boehm, Otterbein, and others, 
connected themselves together under the name of **The United 
Brethren in Christ." It does not seem that a separate church 
organization was at first contemplated, but the hostility of the 
old church against this movement drew the converted ministry 
and laity more closely together, which necessarily developed into 
denominational organization. A large number, however, remained 
independent of any organization. 

A remarkable incident relating to this subject is worthy of 
record. In the early ministry of John Seybert, (afterwards 
bishop,) he had an extensive revival near the Black Oak Hill, 
Lebanon county. Pa., at a meeting held at the house of Joseph 
Kreider,* at which the noted Felix Light, was present. Light 
had been a prominent Mennonite, but after his conversion he, 
with many others, stood aloof from churches. Seybert urged 
the converts to hold together, and showed the necessity and advan- 
tages of organization. Light astonished the assembly by arising 
and contradicting the advice of Seybert and spoke against the 
formation of a class, to which little attention was paid. 

Rise of the Evangelical Association* In the religious 
movements which we have outlined, the Evangelical Association 
also took its rise. The establishment of our Zion was not the 
result of disruption, or secession from any of the old denomina- 
tions. Neither is it the result of a difference in faith or church 
polity, but it represents, as its name indicates, a revival of the 
evangelical or spiritual element, which existed only in the creeds, 
but not in the practice of the German churches of that day. 
Herein we see her standpoint and distinctive features as a church. 
Should the Evangelical Association ever lose sight of the funda- 
mental principles of her existence, namely, the conversion of 
sinners to Christ and the building up of God's people in true 
holiness of heart, then may it be truthfully said, there is no apol- 
ogy for her existence. That such a stage should ever be reached, 
may God forbid ! . 

^""The Evangelical Association has no connection whatever with N 
any of the more recently established churches in America. Her 
origin and development were entirely independent of them all. 
Her's was a growth by accretion, brought about by instrumental- 
ities of her own, which were blessed and owned of God in the 

*Near Palmyra, Pa. He died in 1 878, aged eighty-four years. His place 
Tivas for many years an important point. 



18 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

conversion of souls. We have already seen how for some time 
the new measure preachers labored side by side without formal 
organization, and with them the founder of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. But in its organization and subsequent development 
there does not seem to have been much material except that which 
Jacob Albright and his co-laborers could properly call their own. 
This of course has reference to the fruits of their labors. Most 
of the members of the original classes were the spiritual children 
of Albright and his assistants, as will appear to every candid 
reader of the subsequent details of their labors in this work. 

Coflversioii of Albright* In 1790 Jacob Albright, who 
then lived in West Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pa., 
lost several of his children by death. On the occasion of their 
burial Rev. Anthony Hautz,* a Reformed minister already 
referred to, officiated. The word spoken had the effect of bringing^ 
Albright into a penitent condition. He failed, however, to find 
peace, and after many months of prayerful seeking he was brought 
to the verge of despair. Not very far from him lived a minister 
named Adam Riegel, who, like many others of his day, stood 
independent of the churches. To this man Albright went for 
counsel and help after having been in the deepest spiritual distress 
for over a year. The Sun of Righteousness then arose upon him 
with healing in his wings, and he was converted in the house of 
Riegel, in 1792, and together they subsequently enjoyed many 
happy hours in Christian communion and devotion. 

We have already noticed the aversion of the early German 
converts to a separate church organization, a feeling in which 
Albright did not share. He felt the need of a church home in. 
which he could serve God according to his new light and experi- 
ence. He therefore united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
a class of which had been established in his locality. This, on 
the whole, may be regarded as a fortunate circumstance, inasmuch 
as he found not only congenial Christian fellowship, but also 
opportunities for the free exercise of the gifts with which he was 

* Rev. Anthony Hautz, a deeply spiritual Reformed minister and faithful 
preacher of experimental religion was licensed as a Reformed preacher in 1 787, 
was a co-worker with the independent brethren, but never withdrew from his 
church. Because he advocated the *^ New Measures '* he came in conflict with 
his conservative parishioners, and changed charges a number of times ; finally he 
removed, in 1804, to the state of New York. Here he died in Groton township^ 
Tompkins county, in 1830, at an advanced age. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 19 

naturally endowed. Although a German, so well did his Metho- 
dist brethren think of Albright that they granted him license as 
an exhorter. After laboring in this capacity for some time, he 
felt the inward call to the holy ministry. The difficulties in the 
way, however, seemed insurmountable. The church with which 
he was connected was English in language, while the people with 
whom his labors as a minister could be successful, were German. 
After much fasting and prayer, he finally determined to enter the 
gospel field as an independent evangelist, and labor among his 
German countrymen, in the full belief that God had called him 
to this work, and would open the way for him. Albright never 
withdrew from the Methodist Church, neither was he excluded. 
His membership simply lapsed when his sphere of usefulness was 
enlarged from the exhorter to the itinerant preacher. 

Begintiiiig of Albright's Ministry. In 1 796 Albright 
started on his first evangelistic tour, which, as he himself says, 
embraced a portion of Maryland and Virginia and the interior of 
Pennsylvania. The first definite account we have of his labors 
refers to October of this same year, when he preached at the mar- 
ket house at ShafEerstown, Lebanon county, Pa., on the occasion 
of the dedication of the new Reformed Church at that place. 
It is exceedingly difficult to gain definite information of his early 
labors, for the reason already advanced, that he doubtless preached 
at many places where all godly ministers were alike welcome. 
The first tangible results of his work, so far as we know, appear 
in the eastern part of Berks county, near the Colebrookdale iron 
works. Here he preached at Samuel Lieser's, and Abraham 
and Joseph Buchwalter's. At Quakertown, Bucks county, 
eighteen miles northeast of this, he preached at Peter Walter's 
and Charles Bissey*s. In Penn township, Schuylkill county, 
he preached regularly at Leonhart Zimmerman's. In North- 
ampton county, along the Blue mountains, he preached at the 
houses of George Phillips and his sons, Conrad and Jacob, and 
Jacob Reidy. In what is now Lebanon county, near Jonestown, 
he preached at the house of Ludwig Zehring. At the foregoing 
places he preached prior to 1800. The persons named, with their 
families, were his firs^ fruits in the ministry, and loved him as 
their spiritual father. As the number of the converts through 
his ministry increased, he clearly saw the necessity of organizing 
them into classes. This he did in 1800,, when his adherents num- 
bered about twenty. 



20 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANKALS. 

The first class was formed on the Ridge, three miles east of 
Quakertown, Bucks county, and consisted of Charles Bissey 
and wife, and Peter Walter with his wife and family. Peter 
Walter was the leader of the class. The second class was formed 
about twenty miles southwest, at the Colebrookdale iron works, 
in Berks county, and consisted of Samuel Liesser, his wife and 
several children, Abraham Buchwalter and wife, and Joseph 
Buchwalter and wife. Samuel Liesser was leader. The third 
class was formed along the Blue mountains, in Hamilton town- 
ship, Northampton county, and consisted of father George 
Phillips and his two sons, Conrad and Jacob, and their wives, 
Jacob Riedy and wife, Phillip Miller and wife, and Barbara 
Hecht. Conrad Phillips was leader. 

First Co-laborers of Albright. After laboring alone in 
the vineyard for a period of about five years, the Lord gave his 
servant, Jacob Albright, an assistant, in the person of John 
Walter, son of Peter Walter, the first class-leader. This 
young man entered the Evangelical work in 1802, and became 
noted for his untiring zeal and powerful eloquence. From his 
biography and the numerous references to him in this work, the 
reader will perceive that he was a man of brilliant talents ; whose 
oratorical powers have never been excelled in the history of the 
Association. The following year, 1803, another young brother 
entered the work. This was Abraham Liesser, son of father 
Samuel Liesser, of Colebrookdale, Berks county. He was a 
young man of mild and quiet disposition, zealously devoted to 
the saving of souls, but does not seem to have possessed a strong 
bodily constitution. In 1805 he broke down altogether and died 
the same year. In 1804 Alexander Jemison, of Lancaster 
county, entered the active work. The following year, however, 
he located, after which but very little is known of him. In 1805 
George Miller entered the itinerancy and eventually became 
the leader of the Association. In 1806 the number was not 
increased. In 1807 John Dreisbach, of Buffalo Valley, in Union 
county, and Jacob Frey, of Middle Creek Valley, in (now) 
Snyder county, entered the work. The former became in course 
of time the leading man of the church. John Erb, of Conestoga, 
Lancaster county, began to preach in Albright's time, was 
received on trial in 1808, and became a very useful man. The 
foregoing brethren entered the ministry under the supervision 
of the founder of the church. 



TES EARLY DA TS. 21 

Of local preachers of this period it is doubtful whether a// the 
names of those who exercised the office, and were recognized as 
such, can be definitely ascertained. Several of the names given 
below do not appear on the records of the church, but of their 
license as local preachers there is no doubt. In 1806 the office 
of local preacher was established in the society. The first to be 
received were the following: Charles Bissey, of Quakertown, 
Bucks county; Jacob Phillips, of Northampton county, and 
Solomon Miller, brother of Rev. George Miller. The great 
revival on the new circuit, in 1806, almost doubled the mem- 
bership of the society. The number of local preachers was also 
increased as follows: In 1807 Christopher Spangler accom- 
panied John Dreisbach to attend the jfirsf conference of the 
church. Spangler, at this conference, received license to 
preach,* and for half a century was a pillar in the church. John 
Thomas, Jr., of Mifflin county (died in Wayne county, O., 1837), 
whose license was given him by Albright. f Christian Wolf, 
of Derrstown (now Lewisburg, Union county), who removed 
to Seneca county, New York, 1807, and died 1833. Besides the 
above, mention should also be made of Michael Maize and 
Henry Niebel, of Dry Valley, Union county, and Matthias 
Betz, of Millheim, Centre county. These brethren without doubt 
began to preach in Albright's time, Niebel and Betz entering 
the active work immediately after the founder's death (1808). 

Biographies of nearly all the co-workers of Albright will be 
found in subsequent chapters. They were men of untiring zeal, 
and willing to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ 
(II. Tim. ii. 3). Amid many privations and disappointments 
they laid the foundations of our Evangelical Zion. 

Pentecostal Meeting. The first meeting of Albright and 
his atiherents, of which we have any knowledge, was held when 
he had but four male followers, of whom Charles Bissey J was 
one. The names of the others are not known. The place and 
time of the meeting are also unknown, but the time must have 
been soon after he began his ministry. The object was to seek 
a closer union with God, and to pray together for the power of 

♦Letter of Dreisbach in "Chr. Botschaf ter, " 1843, p. 189. 

\ Or wig's History of the Ev. Association, p. 219. 

^ This fact was given in a historical address at the General Conference at 
Allentown, Pa., in 1883, by Rev. Henry Stetzel, who had obtained his infor- 
mation from Charles Bissey. 



22 EVAKOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the Holy Ghost. The Lord blessed them in a wonderful manner, 
and the meeting no doubt proved a great encouragement to 
Albright and his little band. 

First General Assembly. After Albright had labored 
in the gospel ministry about six years, it was felt necessary to give 
a more definite and formal recognition of his call and work. 
Hence a general Council Assembly was called, which met Nov. 3, 
1803, at Samuel Liesser's.* Besides Albright and his two 
assistants, John Walter and Abraham Liesser, there were pres- 
ent the following brethren : Jacob Phillips, George Miller, 
Carl Bissey, Conrad Phillips, John Brobst, Solomon W. 
Frederici, Chr. Brobst, George Phillips, Michael Brobst, 
Samuel Liesser, Peter Walter, Adam Miller, Jacob Riedy 
and Solomon Miller. This assembly transacted the following 
important business : 

1. An ecclesiastical organization was effected by the adoption 
of the Holy Scriptures as the guide and rule of faith. 

2. Jabob Albright was declared to be a minister of the gos- 
pel in the full sense of the term and recognized as their spiritual 
father and teacher. 

3. He was solemnly ordained as such by the laying on of hands; 

4. And was given a license or commission, of which the fol- 
lowing is a close translation : 

*■* From the Elders and Brethren of His Society of Evangelical Friends. 

We, the undersigned Evangelical and Christian friends, declare and recog- 
nize Jacob Albright as a genuine ( Wahrhaftigen ) Evangelical preacher, in 
word and deed, and a believer in the Universal Christian Church and the commun- 
ion of saints. This testify we as brethren and elders of his society {Gemeinde). 
Given in the State of Pennsylvania Nov. 5, 1803." 

The document was signed by Albright^s two colleagues, 
Walter and Liesser, and the fourteen laymen mentioned. 

Second Assembly. Some time between 1805 and 1807 
another council was held in the house of George Becker, of the 
Muehlbach. Of this meeting there is no record whatever ; but that 
it was held, is substantiated by the testimony of two daughters of 
George Becker who were present, namely, Mrs. Gockley and 
Mrs. Catharine Klinefelter, the wife of Rev. John Kline- 
felter. Some time prior to their death they made definite 
statements relative to the assembly, Mrs. Gockley especially 

* This statement of the place is according to the testimony of John 
Dreisbacu. 



THE EARL7 DATS. 23 

having a vivid recollection of it. Mother Elizabeth Stump, a 
daughter of Samuel Becker, in whose house the first conference 
was held in 1807, related to the author that she frequently heard 
her relatives, including her uncle, George Becker, speak of the 
council at the house of the latter. 

First Confereiice. The first regular conference was held 
in November, 1807, at the house of Samuel Becker, on the 
Muehlbach, Lebanon county, a few miles east of Shaeferstown, 
With this conference the official history of the Association prop- 
erly begins. 



CHAPTER li. 



THE "OLD CIRCUIT." 

An Account of the First Field of Labor, Commonly Called 
"Schuylkill and Lancaster Circuit" — Its Preaching 
Places and Classes as Established by Rev. Jacob Al- 
bright and His Co-Laborers, with Copious Biographical 

Notes. 

We have already in a previous chapter noted the beginning 
of Jacob Albright's ministry. In this chapter we will seek to 
give a description of the first field of labor, with an account of 
its preaching places, and the noble families who, in the face of 
great persecution, opened their homes to the founder of the 
church and his co-laborers. In doing this it will, however, be 
impossible to follow the work in the order of its establishment, 
as that plan would necessitate a frequent recurrence to the same 
locality. The number of preaching places on the old circuit, 
prior to Albright's death (1808), was upwards of sixty. In 
their enumeration we deem it proper to begin with the locality in 
which the first class was organized. 

Bucks County. On the rocky ridge, about three miles east 
of Quakertown, Bucks county, Albright was received by Peter 
Walter and Carl Bissey. 

Peter Walter, who lived in Rockland township, three miles 
east of Quakertown, was the father of a large family, nearly all 
of whom were grov/n when Albright first visited them, and so far 
as can be ascertained, Walter was one of the very first to asso- 
ciate himself with Albright. In the year 1800, when Albright 
decided to organize his spiritual children into classes, he begaa 



THE EARL T DA TS. 25 

here, and father Walter was made leader of the first class of the 
Evangelical Association. In the year 1805 he and his entire 
family removed to the Swatara Creek, near Jonestown (now), 
Lebanon county. In that connection the reader will find a 
further account of him and his family. 

Carl Bissey, of Richland township, lived three miles north of 
Walter, and was also one of the first adherents, and was promi- 
nent in the early days of the society. He was present at the 
council assembly of 1803, and became one of the first local 
preachers of the church. In this capacity he rendered good 
service until his death, Oct. 20, 1847, at the age of seventy- 
five years. 

Northampton County. Along the southern slope of the 
Blue Mountains, in Hamilton township, Northampton county, 
was organized the third class of the Evangelical Association in 
the year 1800. The first to open their houses to Albright as 
preaching places, prior to the organization of the class, were 
father George Phillips and his sons, Conrad and Jacob, Jacob 
RiEDY and Adam Miller, all of whom were present at the Gen- 
eral Assembly of 1803. The following were the members of the 
class : Father George Phillips and wife, Conrad Phillips and 
wife, Jacob Phillips and wife, Peter and Jacob Riedy and 
their wives, Philip Miller and wife, Adam Miller and wife 
and Barbara Hecht. Conrad Phillips was the class leader. 

In the fall of 1802 Jacob Albright held the tkt'rd general 
meeting of the society at Conrad Phillips*, and was assisted by 
John Walter, his first fruits for the ministry. This meeting 
was attended by George and Solomon Miller, who at this time 
publicly identified themselves with the work of Albright, and 
soon became very efficient instruments in the establishment and 
promotion of the society. 

Jacob Phillips became one of the first local preachers of the 
society. He died in the prime of life, in 1809. 

In 181 1 Conrad Phillips removed to Dry Valley, in Union 
county, where his house became a prominent preaching place. 
Here he died in 18 16, and his aged father, who had removed 
with him, died in 1822. 

Adam Miller was one of the first converts under Albright 

Note. — Catharine Hecht died in 1808, leaving a bequest of $100 to the 
society, which was the first it received. This was considered a large amount at 
that time, and was added to the fund for the support of the preachers. 



26 E V ANGELICAL ASSOGIA TION ANNALS. 

in Northampton county. In the early part of the century he 
removed to Crawford county, O., where he died in 1848, aged 
eighty-one years. 

Berks County. At the Colebrookdale iron works near the 
eastern line of Berks county, Rev. Jacob Albright found some 
open doors in the very beginning of his ministry, and here formed 
his second class in 1800. The men who received him and opened 
their houses as preaching places were the following : Samuel 
LiESSER, who with his family was converted through the labors 
of Albright and became the leader of the class that bore his 
name. His son Abraham became Albright's second assistant 
in 1803. Father Liesser was widely known as a man of exem- 
plary piety. At his house Albright held his first ** general 
meeting ''* in June 1802. Brother Liesser died in the early part 
of the century. His wife Anna died in 1838, at the ripe age of 
eighty-two years. 

ABRAHAMf and Joseph Buchwalter and their families also 
became adherents of Albright. They were Mennonites in faith 
but became dissatisfied with the cold and formal worship of their 
society, and cast their lot with the persecuted '^converted peo- 
ple. " The Buchwalters were men of deep piety and sterling 
worth, and quite prominent in the community. In 1820 they 
removed to Ross county, O., where they were among the first to 
receive the Evangelical preachers. John Buchwalter, a son 
of Abraham, married to a sister of Rev. John Dreisbach, also 
removed to Ross county in 1827, and his house was for years a 
preaching place. 

In Albany township, almost surrounded by the Blue Moun- 
tains, lived a very wealthy man named Michael Brobst. He 
was an iron master, and his furnace and twp forges stood in the 
very heart of the valley. His landed possessions comprised over 
10,000 acres. About the year 1800 his daughters, Magdalena 
and Maria, married George and Solomon Miller respectively. 

*** General meetings" were meetings held at irregular intervals in various 
parts of the society. They usually began on Saturday, and continued over the 
Sabbath. As the work became more established, these meetings gave way to 
the "quarterly meetings." 

f Abraham Buchwalter was born in Berks county, Pa., 1761, and died in 
Ross county, O., 1837. Barbara, his wife, born 1764, died in Ross county, O., 
1868, aged 102 years. Their son John, who served 1812 in the ministry, bom 
1787, died 1872. His wife Susanna (Dreisbach) born 1793, died 188 1. Joseph 
Buchwalter, born 1767, died 1838. 



THE EARL T DA T8. 27 

The Millers, with their wives, were soon afterwards converted 
through the labors of Jacob Albright, which greatly incensed 
Mr. Brobst, who was a strict adherent of the old churches. 
Soon after the conversion of the Millers the three sons of 
Brobst were also converted. Circumstances point to father 
Zimmerman's house as the place of their conversion. Their 
names were John, Michael and Christian. They were all pres- 
ent at the Council Assembly of 1803, and their names are on the 
instrument declaring Albright a gospel minister. Of Christian 
nothing can be learned, and it is probable that he died prior to 
his father. John and Michael lived on the estate and were con- 
nected with the business of their father, and at his death inherited 
the vast estate, but through circumstances not necessary to detail 
here, lost their possessions in after years. The homes of John 
and Michael were regular preaching places for Albright and 
his co-workers from 1803. The home of John is especially 
worthy of note from the fact that here at a general meeting, held 
on Easter day, 1808, Albright stationed his preachers for the 
last time. 

Northwest of Reading, along the Tulpehocken, Albright 
and co-laborers found entrance at an early day. The home of 
father Peter Dundore was the chief preaching place. A class 
was formed here in 1806. In 1809 an extensive revival occurred 
in this region and a considerable ingathering took place. Among 
the converts at this time were George LANTZ,who entered the min- 
istry in 1820, and Lewis Henkey, who became a local preacher 
in 1828. Later he removed to Summit county, O., where he 
was an Evangelical pioneer, and where he died in 1873, aged 
■83 years. The Miesse family were also members on the Tulpe- 
hocken, and later removed to Ohio, where they became strong 
supporters of the work, and some of the younger members later 
became ministers. 

About 1823 the Evangelical preachers were received by John 
Tobias, Sr., and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, who lived on the 
Tulpehocken, about six miles from Reading. A great revival 
began here in this year, and many souls were converted at his 
house, among whom were his sons, John, Jr., Benjamin, Peter,' 
Abraham, David, Samuel, Daniel and Henry, who in later 
years became pillars in the church. In 1832 father Tobias 
removed to a locality six miles north of Circleville, O., where 
the family again received the preachers and were instrumental ia 



28 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

the establishment of a church. Here father Tobias died Aug. 
23, 1847, aged seventy-eight years, three months and fourteen 
days. His last words were, '*I know that my Redeemer liveth.'*^ 
Mother Tobias survived a number of years. In course of time 
most of the sons removed to Illinois. Samuel entered the min- 
istry in 1826, preached many years in Pennsylvania and Illinois, 
and died at Naperville, 111., in 1890. Daniel entered the min- 
istry in 1833 and died the following year while serving Wooster 
circuit. David was a local preacher. Of grandsons the following 
entered the ministry : Benjamin Franklin, son of Benjamin, 
died in the ministry of the Ohio Conference ; Simon A. and L. 
B., sons of John Jr., entered the Illinois Conference, and J. H., 
a son of Peter, is a prominent member of the Kansas Conference. 

In Bern township, along the southern slope of the Blue 
Mountains, in Berks county, Albright and his associates gained 
entrance prior to 1805, and a class was formed here about this 
year. The preaching places were at father Levergood's, Val- 
entine Brobst's, John Miller, Sr.^s (see Miller family), and 
father Jacob Kline's. The latter resided about four miles west 
of Shoemakersville. All the foregoing were men of means and 
high standing in their respective communities. They had been 
connected with the old churches, and when they opened their 
houses as preaching places for the expounders of Evangelical 
truth, they became the objects of ridicule and persecution, yet 
they stood like pillars of light in that region of moral darkness. 
Camp-meetings were held at father Levergood's at an early day. 
In later times the families of Earnst and Loose became strong 
pillars in this section. 

Near the gap where the Schuylkill River forces its way through 
the Blue Mountains, is the town of Hamburgh. Here Albright 
was entertained by a merchant named Diehl. In 1801, when 
passing through, he asked permission of Diehl to preach at his 
house, but the latter said it was hardly a suitable time, as there 
was a ^'frolic'' in progress at the tavern not far away. A mill 
stood in close proximity to the tavern, at the front of which was 
a worn-out millstone. Albright obtained permission from the 
proprietor to mount the stone and preach. A multitude soon 
gathered, to whom he delivered a heart-searching address. As it 
had the effect of breaking up the frolic, the tavern-keeper became 
incensed at Albright and attempted to punish him with a whip. 
George Miller, who a few years later was converted and became 



THE EARLY DATS. 29 

a co-laborer with Albright, was at this time engaged in working 
at the mill, and received impressions which came to an early 
fruitage. 

Some time later Albright and his co-laborers began to preach 
in a small school-house in the town, but because of opposition the 
work made but little progress for years. 

A Wayside Meeting. In 1812 an officer who had died in 
the war with England then in progress, was brought to his home 
in Hamburg for interment. To this funeral, which was attended 
with considerable demonstrations, Mrs. Saylor, of Orwigsburg, 
came, accompanied by her son, Joseph M. Saylor, who was 
then a boy of nine years of age. The town was full of people 
who had come to witness the obsequies of the dead officer. The 
attention of the mother and son was attracted by a crowd gath- 
ered around a man who was holding a religious service on the 
pavement. The mother drew near and with close attention lis- 
tened for the first time to an Evangelical preacher, who was none 
other than George Miller, who eleven years before had first 
heard Albright preach from the millstone, a few hundred yards 
away. Miller was at this time the chief man in the society. 
An incident which impressed itself upon the mind of the little boy 
was that of a man who took off his hat and reverently bowed his 
head when Miller kneeled on the pavement in prayer, while all 
the rest of the hearer's kept on their hats and laughed and talked 
in a disrespectful manner. 

The Bertoletts. Near Friedensburg, in Oley township, 
Berks county, is the old home of the Bertoletts. In 1726 Jean 
Bertolett, a French Huguenot, of Chartien Duise, Switzerland, 
with his wife Susanna and five children, was compelled to flee 
from his home because of religious persecution. He settled in 
Oley, Pa., and many of his descendants became members of the 
Evangelical Association. In 1735 his son Abraham married 
Esther DeTurk, through whom he came in possession of the 
estate still owned by the Bertoletts at Friedensburg. In 1736 
he built a stone house which is still standing, and is one of the 
most interesting landmarks of the church. In course of time 
Daniel Bertolett, a grandson of Abraham, came in possession 
of the estate. He, like his ancestors, was noted for his inde- 
pendence of thought and thrifty habits. When still young he 
became dissatisfied with the dead formality of the churches, and 
became an earnest inquirer after spiritual life, and through a 



30 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

providential circumstance became acquainted with the Evangel- 
ical Association. 

In 1809 a traveler stopped at the Bertolett home and asked 
for dinner, which was cheerfully given him. He was young, 
entertaining in his manners and made a favorable impression. 
Soon after this he stopped again, this time feeding his horse. 
Bertolett was naturally curious to know his name and business, 
but not until the stranger had mounted his horse and was ready 
to proceed on his journey did he ask him. The reply was, **I am 
John Walter, and my business is to -preach the gospel to rich 
and poor wherever doors are opened to receive me. " He then 
bade farewell and rode away. Bertolett stood awhile engaged 
in thought concerning the strange visitor, when a voice seemed 
to say to him, '^Why did you not invite him to preach in your 
house ?^^ Following its promptings, he ran after the preacher 
now disappearing in the distance and succeeded in stopping him. 
The conversation on religious matters was resumed, with the 
result that an appointment was made for Walter. This was the 
beginning of a great work in that locality and the organization 
of a strong class, the principal members of which were the Ber- 
toletts, Clevers, Weidners, Yeakels and Hochs. For many 
years Bertolett's house was a preaching place and he one of 
the chief pillars of the church. A camp-meeting was held on his 
land in 18 14 and many years thereafter, besides many important 
general meetings. He was one of the principal promoters of the 
Book Establishment in 18 16, and was elected by the conference 
as one of the commission. He possessed fine poetical talent; 
many of his hymns became familiar throughout the church, and 
some are still to be found in our German hymn book. One of 
his notable hymns begins with the lines : 

^'- Die Wasserbaecke rauschen dar ' 
Die Stern* am Himmel leuchten klar. 
Die kuehlen Winde weh*n.** 

Many of his productions were published in a separate volume. 
In the conference records of 1820 is a resolution ordering the 
publication of a volume of hymns written and translated by John 
Dreisbach and Daniel Bertolett. In 1832 Bertolett was 
licensed as a local preacher. He was severely plain in his habits, 
so that many who did not understand him thought him peculiar. 
In his house was posted a notice forbidding the use of tobacco 
on his premises, which he considered a great evil. He was a:so 



THE EARLY DA TS. ai 

a prominent anti-slavery man. He died in 1868, at the age of 
eighty-eight years, and his son Jacob, born in 181 5, succeeded 
to the ancestral estate. He was a local deacon of the church 
and also a prominent man. He died in 1878. 

Lehigh Cotitlty. At Lynnville, Albright found entrance 
to several families who opened their homes for preaching places. 
His leading support here was George Kuster, whose house 
became a regular preaching place as early as 1800. He died in 
the early part of the century, but his house continued as one of 
the preaching places of the Schuylkill circuit as late as 1835. In 
1842 the widow Maria Kuster died, aged eighty-three years. 
Having no children, she bequeated the entire estate to the East 
Pa. Conference, which in turn very generously transferred all the 
proceeds of the estate, which were considerable, to the Charitable 
Society of the Evangelical Association. 

Near the present town of Macungie lived a liberal-minded 
man named Philip Wescoe, who welcomed Albright to his 
home, and permitted him to preach in his house. No immediate 
results were apparent until 1834, when J. M. Saylor preached 
to an assembly of over one thousand people in the orchard of 
Mrs. Susan Mohr, near the old home of Wescoe. This was 
the beginning of a great work. 

Schuylkill County. In West Penn township lived that 
eminent man of God, Leonard Zimmerman, and his wife Sophia. 
He was a member and officer of the Reformed Church, and a 
spiritually enlightened, pious man. About 1797 he turned his 
back to the dead formality of his church and opened his house 
as .a preaching place for the zealous evangelist Albright. For 
this he was decried as a heretic and became the subject of sore 
persecution. His former pastor did his utmost to keep him from 
*' falling from the faith," and urged him to close his door against 
the ^' false prophets" and *' deceivers." Zimmerman at this time 
was well advanced in years. He was the father of a large family, 
nearly all of whom were grown, and some were already heads of 
families. The following is a list of his children, all of whom 
became members of the church prior to Albright's death : 

(i) John Zimmerman, Esq., for many years a justice of the 
peace in Schuylkill county, and whose house was one of the early 
preaching places ; (2) Rev. Leonard Zimmerman ; (3) Maria 
and (4) Eve, married brothers, John D. and Michael Sey- 
bert, respectively; (5) Catharine, married to John George 



32 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Zehner. The Seyberts and Zehner lived in the North Branch 
valley, in (now) Columbia and Luzerne counties, where Albright 
and associates preached in their homes. (6) Susan, married 
Conrad Biebelheimer ; (7) Barbara, married H. Balliet, 
and (8) Albertina, married Jacob Bochard. About 1806 the 
three latter sons-in-law also emigrated to the same valley, and 
received the Evangelical preachers. Bochard settled a short 
distance above Danville, in (now) Montour county. After the 
death of the parents (9) Margaret, the youngest, was cared for 
by Rev. Solomon Miller, who in 181 6 removed to New Berlin, 
Pa., to take charge of the Printing Establishment of the society. 
Here she met, and in 18 18 married, George Miller, ** f/i<r 
frinUr," In the early history of the church father Zimmerman's 
was one of the leading points of the connection. In the begin- 
ning of the century Albright preached there a sermon of great 
power from the words, **But who may abide the day of His 
coming?" (Maliii. 2.) The whole assembly was melted under 
its influence and many were converted, among whom was father 
Zimmerman's son Leonard, who later became a minister. At 
another meeting held here in 1802 George Miller, who became 
so eminent and useful in the church, was fully confirmed in the 
faith. Father Zimmerman's house was open to all godly preach- 
ers, whether adherents of Albright or not. Father Peter 
Beaver,* one of the first German Methodist preachers in Amer- 
ica, frequently preached at Z.'s house, and often spoke of his 
deep piety and his zeal for the work of the Lord. Father Zim- 
merman was gathered home, like a shock of corn fully ripe (Job 
V. 26), in the latter part of 181 2, and his wife soon thereafter. 
A great number of his descendants are members of the Evangelical 
Association, some being useful ministers of the gospel. 

In 1803 the first Evangelical class was formed in Schuylkill 
county, and George Miller was appointed leader by Albright. 

The Miller Family. Jacob Miller and his wife Eliza- 
beth were highly respectable people of Pottstown, Pa., and 
members of the Lutheran Church at that place. During the 
Revolutionary War they removed to Alsace township, Berks 
county, where Miller died in 1784. As their sons became 
prominently identified with the society through the ministry of 
Albright, a notice of them seems proper in this connection : 

♦Grandfather of ex-Governor James A. Beaver. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 



(i) John Miller and his wife Sabilla lived in Bern town- 
ship, Berks county, and their house was one of the first preaching 
places. John Miller never united with the society, but his wife 
did. He died early in the century. She died at the home of 
her son Solomon G., in Stoyestown, Somerset county, Pa., in 
1850, at a very advanced age. John Miller, Jr., son of the 
foregoing, entered the Evangelical ministry in 1822, traveled 
seven years, broke down in health, and died near Shoemakers- 
ville. Pa., in 1833. Solomon G. Miller, another son of John, 
was a very talented man. He entered the ministry in 1829, trav- 
eled a number of years, and later was employed at the Book 
Establishment at New Berlin, Pa. He resided for some time at 
Stoyestown, Pa., and still later removed to Kansas, where he 
died, near Augusta, Nov. 19, 1883, aged seventy-six years. 

(2) George Miller lived in Schuylkill county, where he, in 
June 3, 1802, became a subject of saving grace, but some years 
later removed across the mountain to Allemangel, near his father- 
in-law. In 1805 he entered the active ministry. As his biogra- 
phy appears elsewhere, a further notice of him in this connection 
is unnecessary. 

(3) Solomon Miller lived in Schuylkill county, near his 
brother George. He was also converted in 1802, and his house 
became a regular preaching place in the Autumn of that year. 
On Easter day, 1803, Albright held his fourth general meeting 
at his house. In the Fall of 1803 he attended the First Council, 
and in 1807 the first annual conference, where he was licensed as 
one of the first local preachers. In 181 6 he removed to New 
Berlin, Pa., to take charge of the newly established printing busi- 
ness of the society. As he derived no income from this source, 
he carried on his trade as a hatter. His good work for the church 
was, however, soon cut short, as he died March 29, 1820, aged 
forty-two years, five months and twenty-two days. His body 
reposes near that of his brother George. 

(4) Frederick Miller in the early part of the century re- 
moved to the upper end of Lehigh county, near the Blue 

Note. — A few years after their conversion, George and Solomon Miller 
removed from Schuylkill county to the head of Allemangel corner, near their 
father-in-law Michael Brobst. Here George built a saw mill, and Solo- 
mon erected a small hat factory, on the same premises. In 1809 the second 
annual conference was held at their house, and in the Fall of 18 10 the second 
camp-meeting was held on the north bank of the mill dam, where there is a 
beautiful spring. Still later they removed to New Berlin, as elsewhere noted. 



34 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

Mountains, where his house was for many years a preaching place. 
He became quite wealthy, and being without issue, willed his 
entire estate to the East Pa. Conference. This was the largest 
bequest ever made to the church. The will, however, was con- 
tested by other claimants, and after a very costly litigation the 
conference saved about ;^ 10,000, which was very generously 
turned over to the Charitable Society of the church. He died 
in 1854, at a very advanced age. 

In the vicinity of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, lived George 
Orwig, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a highly 
respectable citizen. He was liberal in his views and strongly 
opposed to the dead and formal worship so prevalent in his 
locality. He therefore opened his house as a preaching place 
for Jacob Albright.* Although he never withdrew from the 
church of his fathers, he was nevertheless a warm friend of the 
Evangelical Association, and his children and grandchildren be- 
came prominent members. Several of his sons having removed 
to Buffalo Valley, Union county, he and his wife Magdalena 
went thither to spend their last days with them, and there they 
both died in 1841, each at the age of eighty- two years. 

In Lower Mahantongo Valley lived John Haldeman, whose 
house became a preaching place for Albright and his asso- 
ciates. Probably nowhere else in Pennsylvania was there greater 
spiritual darkness than in this region, and the work seemed fruit- 
less. Brother Haldeman, however, did not become discour- 
aged, although he stood almost alone for a quarter of a century 
as a professor of experimental religion. His house was for many 
years a noted stopping place for the preachers in their travels to 
and fro. The precious seed of the gospel sown in this place was 
not lost, however, as in course of time it came to a rich fruitage, 
and a class was formed. John Seybert and others took up ap~ 
pointments in adjoining places, and a rich harvest of souls was 
realized. One of the chief pillars in this valley for many years 
was Henry Heppler. Many victorious camp-meetings were held 
on his place, and the Evangelical work throughout that region, 
has continued to flourish to the present time. 



* This statement is from his grandson, Bishop W. W. Orwig. 

Note. — Father John Haldeman died 1842, aged seventy-four years. His 
»vife Salome in 1838, aged seventy-one years. 



TEE EARLY DATS, 35 

LebailOll Coimty. For some unknown reason Albright 
"was specially interested in Shaefferstown and vicinity. This place 
is situated about seven miles south-east of Lebanon, in one of the 
finest agricultural regions of the State. It is especially noted as 
the place of Albright's first labors, of which we have definite 
knowledge. In October, 1796, the Reformed church here was 
dedicated, and we find him addressing an overflow meeting from 
a board pile at the entrance of the market house, in the public 
square. A furious attack was made upon him by a godless mob, 
and the result would doubtless have been serious to him had not 
the arm of the Lord encircled him. At the critical moment when 
a rush was about to be made upon him, a powerful man, named 
Maize, who saw his danger, seized him, and carried him away, 
as though he were a child. The cowardly mob well knew the 
strength and courage of Maize, and made no further attempt to 
harm him. A kind hearted man named Peter Mohr then took 
him to his home and sheltered him. This perilous attempt to 
preach Evangelical doctrine in this wicked place did not in the 
least discourage him, but with true Christian heroism he fre- 
quently returned, and the Lord not only opened doors for him, 
but also hearts to receive the truth, and the precious seed thus 
sown in tears and sorrow, came to a rich and glorious fruitage, 
as will be observed. But before this result could be reached, 
God's servant must pass through a still more fiery ordeal. 

Albright's Terrible Persecution. In the Autumn of 
1799 a fair was held at Shaefferstown, at which time he preached 
to a large multitude by the wayside. On this occasion he was 
attacked by a mob and shamefully abused. Bruised and bleed- 
ing, and with garments almost torn from his body, he escaped 
with his life to father Zentmyer's, who lived two miles distant, 
and at whose home he had often found a warm welcome. Here 
he lay for two weeks under the care of a physician. 

Among Albright's hearers at the fair was George Becker, 
who lived two miles east, at the Muehlbach. The word of truth 
made an impression upon his heart, and some years later he was 
converted, and became one of the strongest pillars the church has 
ever had. (See Muehlbach.) 

Near Shaefferstown lived Jacob Gleim, a man of sterling 
worth and deep piety. Soon after Albright began his labors 
here Brother G. opened his house for preaching, and it was for 
many years a noted place. He died in 1837, at the age of 



36 EVANGELICAL ASSOGIA TION' ANNALS. 

seventy-one years. It is worthy of note that when Albright 
was suffering from his last illness and was on his way home, as 
he said, to die, he was brought from Lingelstown to brother 
Gleim's. From there he resumed his journey, but was compelled 
to stop at George Becker's, only two miles distant, where he 
breathed his last. 

Among the converts of Albright at Shaefferstown was Jacob 
Bricker, who was, so far as we know, the first in the town to 
open his house as a preaching place. He died in Lebanon, 
in 1840, aged seventy- three years. Bishop Newcomer, of the 
United Brethren Church, mentions in his journal the fact of 
having preached in Bricker's house in 1823. John Grumbein 
and family were also converted under the preaching of Albright, 
and their house was a preaching place. (Father G. died in 1868, 
aged ninety years. ) A little later Jacob Bucks became a prom- 
inent member. He was class leader for many years, and was the 
father of Rev. H. Bucks, who entered the ministry in 1832. 

Tlie Muelilbacli and Vicinity. In West Cocalico town- 
ship, in the northeastern part of Lancaster, and near the line of 
Lebanon county, is a locality known as **The Swamp," opening 
in the direction of Shaefferstown, between the Muehlbach and 
Chestnut Ridge. The Muhlbach is a few miles north and Shaef- 
ferstown northwest. In this place Albright was received by 
John Wenger,* who opened his house for the preachers of exper- 
imental religion. On one occasion when Albright preached 
here, the house was so thronged that the floor gave way, and 
a disaster was narrowly averted. Some people regarded this 
mishap as a sign of God's disfavor and thereafter kept aloof. 

In the Spring or Summer of 1805 George Miller, Albright's 
co-laborer, gained entrance a little farther north towards the 
Muehlbach. In his autobiography he says, **One evening I 
stopped with a man in Lancaster county named Lesher, and 
was lovingly received. In the evening and morning I prayed 
with them, and as I was about to take my departure, he asked 
me whether I was not a Methodist preacher. I replied that I 
was no Methodist. 'But,' said he, 'you are a preacher, and in 
what connection do you stand? ' I replied, *I am an Evangelical 
preacher, and preach the gospel to all who receive and hear me. ' 

* He was a brother to Jacob and Joseph, of State Line, Pa., which see, and 
brother-in-law to father Philip Breidenstein, and Bishop H. Kummler. 



TEE EARLY DATS. 37 

<Tell me the truth/ said he, 'are you not a Methodist preacher?' 
'You can depend upon it/ said I. *I would like to hear you 
preach, but the Methodists I would not receive, because they are 
too boisterous. Or are you so loud too ? At any rate, I will 
give out an appointment for you and then we will see. ' 

'*An appointment was given out, and the house was filled 
with people. The Lord gave me grace to preach His Word with 
feeling and power, so that nearly all were melted. Lesher desired 
another appointment, and as I preached again others desired it 
also, and the Lord so wrought that in a short time sinners began 
to seek for pardon. As Lesher heard the noise he left the 
assembly, but God worked powerfully so that many sinners were 
converted, and also this old man with nearly his entire family 
were converted."* 

The Beckers and Lefflers Converted. Among the peo- 
ple who came to the meetings at Lesher's were some from the 
Muehlbach, about three miles distant, among whom was Cath- 
arine, wife of Frederick Becker, a highly respected man, and 
a brother of George and Samuel, of the Muehlbach. John 
Leffler, married to Becker's sister Julianna, lived near Lesh- 
er's, and also attended the meetings. Mrs. Becker was con- 
verted and a little later her husband Frederick. This opened 
the way for the introduction of the work. 

Soon after his conversion Frederick Becker began to urge 
his brothers, Samuel and George, to attend the meetings at the 
Swamp. After much persuasion they agreed to do so, and went 
together. The service made a deep impression upon them, and 
on their return they discussed the propriety of having Albright 
preach at the Muehlbach also. Samuel thought that inasmuch 
as he was an officer in the Lutheran Church, it would not do for 
him to open his house as a preaching place, but urged his brother 
George to do so. George signified his willingness, but there 
were domestic obstacles in the way, and the project was deferred. 
Quite unexpectedly, however, whether in jest or earnest we can- 
not say, the wife of George told him to have an appointment 
made at their house. This was just what he desired, but she had 
hitherto shown no disposition in favor of the work. An appoint- 
ment was accordingly made, which was filled by Albright. 
The wife, however, opposed a second meeting, but Albright 

* Miller'' s Leben^ page 8j. 



38 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

persuaded her to permit another appointment, to which she finally 
agreed. At the second meeting he was assisted by his coUegues 
John Walter and George Miller. The house was thronged 
with people. Much opposition was manifested by the enemies 
of the cause, and considerable damage was done about the prem- 
ises. The meeting nevertheless was a glorious triumph, and 
among the saved was George Becker. The precious seed 
dropped into his heart by Albright at the Shaefferstown fair, 
five years previous, at last matured in his salvation. Becker's 
sister Julianna, and her husband John Leffler, from the Swamp, 
were also present at this meeting. She was powerfully wrought 
upon, and with contending emotions within her soul she stole 
away ere the meeting closed and returned to her home, several 
miles distant. When her husband returned he found his wife in 
bed and the door securely barred. To his repeated calls to open 
the door she paid no attention, whereupon he bowed down and 
offered up a fervent prayer in her behalf. This induced her to 
open the door, but she immediately returned to bed. She there 
began to upbraid him for falling away from the faith of their 
fathers. It was quite evident, however, that her heart had been 
touched by the spirit of conviction, and she was in that condi- 
tion in which the enemy of souls makes a last desperate effort to 
hold his victim. Her husband then bowed down by the side of 
a chest near the bed, and with tears began to pray for her salva- 
tion. Soon the mighty power of God came down upon them, 
and the woman cried out with a loud voice, ^^Der Teufel muss 
weichen. " (The devil must flee. ) After a season of Jacob-like 
wrestling the unseen One revealed His hidden name, and the 
house resounded with shouts of joy and praise from the lips of 
husband and wife. 

Samuel Becker was still unconverted. Soon after the con- 
version of Lefflers a prayer-meeting was appointed at their 
house. When the time for the prayer-meetiag came, Samuel 
Becker's wife, who had been converted, said to her husband, 
*^Come, get ready, and let us go over to Leffler's to the prayer- 
meeting." < No,'' said he, ''I must go to church to-day or they 
will throw me out of office, as I have missed church pretty often 
of late." After much persuasion, however, she induced him 
to accompany her. The meeting was one of great power, and 
Becker resolved to seek the Lord in the salvation of his soul. 
The friends joined in fervent supplications with him, and he was 



THE EARLY DA YS. 39 

soon overwhelmed with the power of saving grace. Springing to 
his feet, with his streaming eyes turned heavenward, he repeated 
that grand old hymn of Rothe, beginning, 

"Ich habe nun den Grund gefunden 

Der meinen Anker ewig haelt ; 
Wo anders als in Jesu Wunden ; 

Da lag er vor der Zeit der Welt, 
Ein Grund der unbeweglich steht 
Wann Erd und Himmel untergeht. ' ' * 

Deacon Samuel Becker was now converted, and another 
strong pillar added to Albright's little society. His conversion, 
however, was the signal for abuse from his former co-religionists. 
He had ** fallen away from the faith," according to their notion, 
and to ridicule him and disturb the meetings at his house was 
considered just what he deserved. His father-in-law, who was a 
man of considerable means, was especially hostile to him and 
his wife, and finally announced to them that he had disinherited 
them. Mrs. Becker said, <<Dear father, you may do me all the 
harm you can. You may throw me out of my inheritance, if you 
will, but you cannot take from me my inheritance above, which 
rests in God's hands, and is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth 
not away." The aged father spent much of his time at her house, 
but whenever there was preaching there, he left and remained 
away until the service was over. His bitterness against the 
Evangelical work never abated, and at his death it was found 
that he had executed his cruel threat, and his dear daughter, who 
had bestowed upon her aged father the tenderest care and affec- 
tion, was cut off from her father's estate. In the light of eternity 
this was of little moment to her, for she has for many years 
enjoyed her more enduring substance in the City of God. 

Becker Family History. Among the early German emi- 
grants in Pennsylvania were a number of Baptists, who fled from 
the religious intolerance of the Old World to seek homes in the 
New, where they might serve God according to the dictates of 
their consciences. At first they were somewhat scattered, but 
Conrad Bissel having settled at the Muehlbach in i72i,f he 
was in 1724 joined by others, and a society was organized. This 
society chose one of their number named Peter BeckerJ as 

*See English translation in Evangelical Hymn Book, No. 324. 
I Egle's History of Lancaster county, 
j Becker was from Dilsheim, Germany. 



40 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

their official baptizer.* This was the ancestor of the Becker 
family. In 1724 he baptized Bissel in the Pequea Creek, f 
BissEL was a man of considerable intelligence, and changing his 
views somewhat, he a few years later withdrew and founded the 
famous Communistic Society at Ephrata. Becker's estate on 
the Muehlbach was quite large, and a good portion o^ it has 
remained in the hands of his descendants continuously to the 
present time. Among the sons of the emigrant was John George, 
to whom the estate descended. 

John George Becker was the father of fifteen childen, nearly 
all of whom became supporters of Albright and members of his 
society, and multitudes of his decendants are to be found as hon- 
ored members in almost every quarter of the church. He died 
prior to 1800, aged ninety- two years. His aged companion, who 
was his third wife, lived to see the Evangelical work established, 
became a member of the Muehlbach class, and died in peace soon 
afterwards. Of the children of John George Becker, several 
of whom have already been mentioned, a brief reference can only 
be given in this connection. John Jacob soon after his conver- 
sion removed to Windsor township, York county, where he was a 
pillar for many years. Michael lived on the Swatara, where he 
received Albright and his colaborers. Frederick, (wife Eliza- 
beth), Elizabeth, married to John Lesher, of Dauphin county. 
Frederick Becker and his brother-in-law Lesher removed to 
Seneca county, O. Jultanna, wife of John LefEler, already 
referred to; Christina, who became the wife of Rev. John 
Walter, the first colaborer of Albright ; Samuel and George, 
of whom more will be found presently. 

The Becker mansion is one of the most interesting land- 
marks connected with the history of the church. It was erected 
by John George Becker, and is a two story stone edifice of 
large size. The body of the building is of limestone, but the 
corners, windows, and doors are of fine red sandstone trimmings. 
Over the door is neatly cut the legend, *'G, 1767, B." The edi- 
fice is in an excellent state of preservation. An abiding interest 
attaches to it, because in it was held, in 1807, the first annual 
conference of the Evangelical Association. Brother Samuel 
Becker gained possession of the homestead, and it has been 

*Rupp's History of Lancaster county, page 214. 
f Ephrata Chronicles. 



THE EARLY DAYS, 41 

retained by his decendants ever since. He was killed in 1809 
by accidentally falling under the wheel of his wagon, while on his 
way to Reading. George Becker lived on the western end of 
the estate. The old homestead was situated near a large spring, 
which is the source of the stream known as the Muehlbach, 
(Millcreek.) In this house Albright died in 1808. The an- 
nual conference was held here in 18 10 and 181 1. The old home 
has long since given way to a more modem edifice. George 
Becker was blessed with a family of godly children, of whom 
his eldest daughter Mary married Rev. John Erb, but died in 
the bloom of life in 1814. Catharine in 1823 became the wife 
of Rev. John Klinefelter, who was one of the leading men of 
the church. Father George Becker died in 1855, at the age 
of eighty-eight years, his wife Maria having preceded him many 
years. 

The Muehlbach class was organized in 1805, John Leffler, 
leader. Members : Father John Lesher and family, John Lef- 
fler and wife Julianna, mother Julianna Becker, Frederick 
Becker and wife Catharine, John Jacob Becker, Catharine 
(Becker) Kissinger, Christina Becker, (afterwards Mrs. Rev. 
J. Walter), Anna Yost, John A. Hake, and also Jacob Bricker, 
Jacob Gleim, and John Grumbein, with their families, of Shaef- 
ferstown. 

Albright was buried in the private burying ground of George 
Becker. In course of time it was enlarged, father John Kline- 
felter donating considerable land for the purpose, and it is now 
known as the Albright, or Evangelical cemetery. In the midst 

Notes. — i. Frederick Becker's son Abraham entered the ministry in 
1822 and traveled five years. John Jacob was noted for his wonderful gift of 
prayer, under which the hearts of many sinners melted like wax before the flame. 
He died in Windsor township, York county, Pa. 

2. John Adam Haake, whose remarkable conversion at Michael Becker's 
in 1805 is elsewhere related. He was blind through the premature explosion of 
a blast, which accident occurred before his conversion. He was a powerful 
exhorter, and was accustomed to go to meetings in distant localities and wrought 
much good. He died in 185 1, aged seventy-five years. He is buried close by 
Rev. Jacob Albright. 

3. Anna Yost lived in a small house belonging to George Becker. She 
was one of the first converts, and especially noted as a sweet singer. She was 
Albright's nurse during his last illness at Becker's, and cheered him by 
singing the sweet songs of Zion. Later she married Brother J. Snavely and 
removed to Cornwall, Lebanon county, where she died in 1855. 



42 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

of it stands the Albright Memorial Churchy built in memory of 
the founder in 1850. The material is red sandstone. It is, 
however, not as originally constructed. Because of faulty work 
in its erection, it became necessary to rebuild the entire struc- 
ture. The inscription on the marble slab above the entrance 
reads as follows : 

'^Albrechts Kirche, 

errichted 

zum andenken des verewigten 

Jacob Albrecht^ 

Stiff er der Evangelis chert Gemeinschaft in Nord Amerikoy 

im ^o ten Jahr der Gemeinschaft, 

Anno. i8jo. 

Ganz neu aufgebaut im Jahr 1860.^^ 

Translation. — "Albright Church, erected to the memory of the Sainted 
Jacob Albright, founder of the Evangelical Association of North America, in 
the 50th year of the Association, Anno. 1850. Rebuilt in the year i860." 

The Breitensteiti Family. A few miles south-west of 
Lebanon, Pa., lived Philip Breitenstein, a man in good cir- 
cumstances and highly respected in his community. Albright 
had became acquainted with him prior to the beginning of the 
century, when he lived at Adamstown, Lancaster county. Late 
in the Fall of 1805 he preached in his house for the first time. 
The weather being unfavorable, his audience consisted of the 
family and a pumpmaker, who was then doing some work for 
Breitenstein. Although favorable to Albright, he did not 
fully yield to the influence of the gospel. His wife was still less 
inclined than her husband. She was not only indifferent, but 
also in a measure opposed to Albright's pretensions as a min- 
ister of the gospel. On the score of old acquaintance, and the 
fact that he was welcomed by her brother, John Wengerd, near 
Adamstown, it would seem she tolerated his services at their 
house. But with the exception of the privilege of preaching there 
occasionally, his work for the time being seemed in vain. Sev- 
eral providential circumstances occurred by which the Lord 
turned these otherwise excellent people to Himself, and raised 
them up as pillars in His church. The following remarkable 
account of Mrs. Breitenstein's conversion she related to her 
pastor, J. M. Saylor, from whose lips the author received it : 

The evening was drawing near, when a young man on horse- 
back drew rein in front of Breitenstein's house. He inquired 



THE EARLY DAYS. 43 

whether they could tell him of the whereabouts of Jacob Al- 
bright. The appearance of the young man and his inquiry at 
once aroused the interest of Breitenstein, who asked' his name. 
The young man replied, * * I am John Walter, Albright's helper. " 
He was then kindly requested to remain for the night, an invita- 
tion which he thankfully accepted. Mrs. B. at once proceeded 
to prepare supper, and the young itinerant was invited to share 
the repast. He was requested to ask the blessing at the table, 
which he did in a unique manner. He made it the occasion for 
praying specially for her who had prepared the meal. This was 
something new to her, but it was of God. **The words of the 
wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assem- 
blies, which are given from one shepherd." (Eccles. xii. 1 1. ) It 
was this remarkable prayer that led her to the Saviour, and like 
Lydia her heart was opened *nhat she attended to the things 
spoken of." (Acts xvi. 14.) 

Brother B. still refused to receive Christ fully, but mark how 
strange are the ways of Providence. Soon after the foregoing 
incident (May 18, 1808) Albright was called to his rich reward, 
and the same Walter who could lead souls to Christ by saying 
grace at meals, preached such a sermon at the funeral of the 
sainted founder of the church that the hearts of the hearers 
melted like wax before the flame, and father Breitenstein was 
led into **the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Jesus 
Christ." (Rom. xv. 29.) From this time on he was a pillar in 
the society. Many important general meetings and camp-meet- 
ings were held on his place. Later he was licensed as a local 
preacher, in which capacity he was signally useful. His son 
John, who was also converted at an early day, entered the active 
ministry in 18 18. 

After faithfully serving his day and generation father Breit- 
enstein was gathered to the fathers above. His mortal remains 
were deposited in the little family burying place on his farm. By 
his side rests his beloved companion, and his distinguished son 
John. 

Father B. was born in 1764, and died Jan. 22, 1838. His 
wife Barbara died April 29, 185 1, aged eighty-one years. Their 
entire family were prominent members of the church. Their 
daughter Catharine became the wife of Rev. J. C. Reisner. 
Another daughter, Mary, converted in 1807, married Jacob 
A'liDDLEKAUFF, of Hagerstov/n, Md., and their house was one of 



44 EVANGELICAL ASjSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

the most important preaching places of the old Franklin Circuit 
for many years. She died in 1855, aged sixty-one years. 

In May, 181 1, the third camp-meeting of the Connection was 
held on Breitenstein's place, and when it is remembered that 
ministers and people came from all parts of the church, it will 
be seen that an ordinary farm would be taxed to its utmost to* 
furnish pasturage for their horses. After considering the matter 
B. found that he had no suitable field into which he could turn 
the horses except a clover field on which he depended for that 
season's crop. After much anxiety he referred the matter to the 
Lord, praying that He would in some way provide. The time 
for holding the camp-meeting arrived, and also people from all' 
parts of the church, with a great number of horses, jaded and 
fiungry. What was to be done ? There was no alternative and 
brother B. opened the bars to his field of clover then in blossom. 
The unconverted people now pointed to this act as proof that the 
**false prophets" had completely turned Breitenstein*s head, 
and said the people would **eat him out of house and home.'*" 
Reader, mark the sequel. While the horses were feeding a whole 
week in the best pasture they ever had, their owners were enjoy- 
ing one of the best camp-meetings ever held. The second day 
following the close of the camp and the departure of the people 
a steady rain set in which continued several days. This caused 
the downtrodden clover to grow afresh and produced the greatest 
hay crop ever gathered from that field. The year in general was 
a prosperous one to him, which brother B. regarded as a special 
indication of God's favor because of his trust in Him. 

Lebanon and Vicinity. Through the labors of Father Breit- 
ENSTEiN and his son John the Evangelical work was established 
in the vicinity of Lebanon. They were ever ready to secure new 
preaching places for the preachers. Although Albright and his 
co-laborers had preached in the town of Lebanon as early as 1805, 
there was no visible fruit until the Breitensteins effected a reg- 
ular appointment. 

A gracious revival resulted in 1826 under the labors of John 
Seybert, afterwards the first bishop of the church. A strong class 
was formed and our work has ever prospered at that place. 

It is worthy of note that of the early converts three young 
men, Henry Fisher, Elias Stoever and Jacob Burkett, became 
prominent ministers. The former was one of our early publish- 
ers, and editor of the Evangelical Messenger. 



THE EARL T BA TS. 45 

About three miles from Lebanon, and the same distance from 
^reitenstein's, lived two brothers, Jacob and Henry Eby, both 
highly respected farmers. The time and circumstances of their 
conversion are unknown, but it is certain that in 1805 George 
Miller preached at their houses, and beyond doubt the Founder 
of the church often did likewise. Important general meetings 
were held here at an early day, and conversions took place, but 
no organization was effected. The members of this locality and 
Breitenstein^s constituted one class. Preaching was kept up 
here for many years, and many camp-meetings were held on their 
lands. Jacob Eby died in 1838, aged sixty-four, and Henry 
died in 1863, in his eighty-second year. 

Samuel Bien and wife were among the first converts in Leb- 
anon county and are supposed to have been members of the 
Breitenstein Class. Their house became a preaching place in 
Albright's time, but we have not been able to ascertain, with 
certainty, the locality of their residence. In the early part of 
the century they removed to Warren county, Ohio, where they died 
near Lebanon. Father Bien died in 1852, aged seventy-eight 
years, and his companion soon afterwards. 

During the year 1809 a general meeting was held at Henry 
Eby's, attended by all the traveling preachers of the Association. 
At this meeting George Miller, John Walter, and John Dreis- 
BACH were solemnly ordained as elders in accordance with a pre- 
vious resolution of the conference. The meeting was an occasion 
of great rejoicing. The brethren reconsecrated themselves to the 
service of God, and the work of the ministry, and the consequence 
was that great and unprecedented revivals took place on all the 
charges soon afterwards. 

Jonestown is situated about seven miles northeast of Lebanon, 
near the Swatara Creek. Albright and his associates found 
some open doors in this region, but also met with violent oppo- 
sition. In Jonestown they preached in a small building in which 
all denominations were permitted to hold services. Mother 
*'Ketty" Wingerd (noticed below) often related that she was 
present at a meeting held here by the Old Brethren (**Z>/> Alte 
Brueder^^ — meaning Albright and his associates), when the 
building was surrounded by a mob and an attack made upon the 
worshipers, from which they escaped without injury only with 
the greatest difficulty, and their deliverance was ever afterwards 
ascribed to the providence of God. After several years of hard 



46 E VANOELIGAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

labor and great opposition, a class was formed in Jonestown and 
vicinity by Rev. George Miller in 1805 {'^Miiler^s Leben,^^ 
page 84). 

Among those who received Albright was Ludwig Zehring, 
a man of wealth and influence who lived on the Swatara Creek, 
a few miles east of Jonestown. He was a prominent member of 
the Reformed Church, and made great sacrifices when he opened 
his house to the Evangelical preachers. There seems but little 
doubt that Albright visited him in the early part of the ministry, 
as his daughter Catharine, already referred to, was converted 
in 1799. She died in Jonestown in 1874, at the age of eighty- 
eight years, having been connected with the church from its 
infancy. Ludwig Zehring's house was a regular preaching 
place as late as 1825. 

Between Jonestown and Mt. Nebo (**Ono" post-office), and 
about a mile east of the latter place, lived Adam Faber, whose 
father Michael came from the Palatinate, Germany, in 1733. 
Adam Faber was a highly respected member of the Reformed 
Church and an officer in the same. He was led to see the spir- 
itual darkness then prevailing in his own heart, and by the grace 
of God, was led into the blissful experiences of salvation. His 
house became a regular preaching place for Albright and his 
associates, and continued to be one of the strongholds of the 
church for many years. His son John, who lived on his f ather^s 
estate, also opened his house as a preaching place at an early 
day. The first camp-meeting of the Association in this vicinity 
was held on Faber's land in 18 15, at which time the noted John 
Walter (whose little farm adjoined Faber's) preached what 
was probably his last sermon. Father Faber died in 1819 and 
was laid to rest in the family burial ground by the wayside, on 
the north side of the farm. (Rev. John Walter was buried in 
the same graveyard.) His wife Anna Faber died in 1839, aged 
eighty-two years, and was buried in the Reformed churchyard 
at Jonestown. 

The Walter Family. About three miles west of Jonestown, 
Pa., lived Father Peter Walter, who with his wife Margaret, 
was of the first to adhere to Albright in the beginning of his 
ministry. We hAve already observed that he was theyfri"/ class- 
leader of the Association, and removed from Quakertown to 
this locality in 1805. From the fact that this family was not 
only one of the first, but also one of the most noted in the early 



THE EARLY DATS. 4? 

history of the society, a more extended account seems proper in 
this connection. 

The family consisted of the following sons : Joseph, John, 
Abraham and Peter ; and daughters : Elisabeth, Magdalena, 
Sarah Christina and Rebecca. Joseph, soon after his father's 
removal here, was married to Mary Stine. Their house became 
a regular preaching place in Albright's time, and became a noted 
place for general meetings and camp-meetings. He died near 
Mt. Nebo in 1857, aged seventy-nine years, his companion having 
preceded him about ten years. John became Albright's first 
co-worker, as will be seen in his biography. After his health 
failed he purchased a small farm near his parental home where he 
resided till his death. Abraham was a local preacher in the early 
days, although his name does not appear in our history as such. He 
lived at Linglestown and was class-leader there. Peter removed 
to Ohio, where he died. Lena (Magdalena) was noted for her deep 
piety, zeal and remarkable courage. Once when attending a gen- 
eral meeting at Solomon Miller's, held by Albright and others 
in 1804, she with other sisters was engaged in prayer, when a wicked 
man named Brobst, father-in-law of Rev. George and Solomon 
Miller, who was most bitterly opposed to the work, entered the 
house and forced his way up stairs, where he drew a sword, and 
in a terrible manner menaced the life of the worshipers. Lena 
Walter arose and boldly withstood him, declaring that neither 
he nor his sword should prevent her from loving and praising 
her Lord, and that she was willing to die for Jesus' sake. With 
one accord the worshipers then called on the Lord for help, and 
the heart of the cruel old man relented and he withdrew, and 
afterwards confessed to having wept and prayed on his way home. * 
Lena afterwards was married to a man named Douglass, and 
removed across the mountain into Dauphin county, and became 
a member of the **Stroh " Class, in Fishing Creek Valley. Sarah 
married a brother named Hockman, of Lancaster county. Chris- 
tina married John Lesher, a son of Father John Lesher, who 
first received our preachers in the Swamp, Lancaster county. 
They removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where they were among 
our first members. Mrs. Lesher died in 1838, aged forty-seven 
years, and her husband the year following, aged fifty years. 
Rebecca married a brother named Bader, and also moved to 
Ohio. She died in Iowa in 1865, aged seventy-one years. 
* Miller's '''■Leben tmd JVirken.** 



48 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

A sad story remains to be told in this connection. About 
1822 Abraham Walter conceived the idea of removing to Tur- 
key Valley, in Juniata county, and persuaded his aged father 
to remove thither with him. This was very unfortunate, as the 
region is rough and unproductive, and was then a mere wilder- 
ness. Despite the entreaty of his children he resolved to go, and 
in his old days build up a new home in the forest. Here both 
he and his aged companion soon found graves for their home. 
Abraham also died here, so far as is known. 

The following account we take from Orwig's history : 

"It was in the month of August, 1808, when John Dreisbach returned 
from a general meeting near the Muehlbach, accompanied by a young brother, 
Andrew Wolf,* in order to fill an appointment that evening in Jonestown, f 
but as he had been disturbed while preaching there before, on his way to said 
general meeting, it was his intention to preach to the friends there without 
giving public notice of it. From fear (not of the Jews, but of the heathen-like 
Christians), the doors had been locked and the window shutters fastened inside 
before the services commenced. After singing and prayer the sermon com- 
menced, but as the exercises had in all probability been heard by some of the 
adversaries, a mob gathered in a short time, and forcing the doors and shutters 
open, they rushed with a dreadful noise and with still more dreadful impreca- 
tions into the house and thus put a stop to the exercises. The preacher then 
took a light and went among the crowd to restore order, but several ruffians 
seized him and dragged him toward the door, at the same time treating him very 
roughly, extinguishing all the lights in the house, and calling to their companions 
who were outside, ' Boys, open the door ; we have got him ! ' They replied, 
* Give it to him ; kill the priest ! ' The preacher was justly apprehensive of still 
worse treatment if they should succeed in getting him out of the house, but how 
to get out of their hands he knew not. Suddenly it flashed upon his mind, as if 
God had revealed it to him, that if he would jerk himself up with all his might 
and then suddenly fall down like a log, he might get out of their hands. He 
did so and thus got rid of them, although he was still among the crowd in the 
dark. Now as the ruffians were groping for him, they got hold of each other, 
letting torrents of blows descend on one another, each fancying he was giving it 
to the * priest ; ' but while they were thus regaling each other to their heart's 
content with blows and pushes, he managed to get out of the crowd and the mob 
got out doors. Alarmed for the minister, some of the friends hastened out also, 
but were seized and very much abused by the mob. The landlord, father P. 
Walter, was so much hurt that the blood gushed from his mouth and nose. A 
sister was knocked down and carried ifito the house for dead, and several more 
friends were likewise very roughly dealt with. ' ' 

As an agreeable sequel to the above, we may add that the 
leaders of the mob, seven in number, were legally indicted the 

* Brother Wolf was from Buffalo Valley, Union county, and soon thereafter 
was married to ANNA Dreisbach, sister of Rev. John Dreisbach. (See 
Buffalo Valley.) 

f It was three miles west. — Author. 



TEE EABLT DATS. 49 

next day and heavily fined by the court when the case came to 
trial. The fines were generously remitted by the brethren. One 
of the jurors in the case was Philip Breitenstein, who after- 
wards became a local preacher and a great pillar in the church, 
as already noticed. 

Lancaster County, Among the first in Lancaster county 
to receive Albright was a widow named Elisabeth Thomas, 
who resided in Manor township, near the confluence of the Big 
and Little Conestoga. By a first marriage she had two sons, 
Jacob and John Rippley, and by a second marriage Christian 
and David Thomas, all of whom became men of great prominence 
in the church. 

Albright began his labors in this place in 1802 or 1803. 
Souls were saved from time to time, and a class was formed in 
1806 or 1807. During the latter year a considerable revival 
occurred at Millerstown. Among the converts was John Erb, 
who entered the ministry the following year. 

In 1809 another gracious revival took place all along the 
Conestoga and many prominent conversions occurred. Among 
those who at this time became actively identified with the society 
were John Rippley, and David and Christian Thomas. The 
latter had some years previous opened his house at Millersville 
as a preaching place for Albright. Some years later Jacob 
Rippley also united with the society, and thereafter the Evangel- 
ical work on the Conestoga made rapid progress. Christian 
and David Thomas and John Rippley were licensed as preachers 
soon after their conversion. John Rippley's was for many 

Notes. — David Thomas entered the active ministry in 1815. Traveled 
two years and thereafter served in a local capacity with great acceptance until 
his death, which took place in 1874. His services to the church were important 
and valuable. He was one of the delegates to the "Social Conference" in 
1816. In 1818 he conducted the obsequies of Rev. John Walter, Albright's 
first co-laborer. 

Christian Thomas was early licensed as a local preacher. Entered the 
active work in 1 832. Located next year. Died in 185 1. 

John Rippley, after serving the church many years as a local preacher, died 
in 185 1, aged seventy-seven years. 

Jacob Rippley, at an early day, with others, removed to Erie county, Pa., 
where he opened his house to John Seybert, who was sent there as missionary 
in 1833. He died in 1851, aged sevenly-nine years. His wife Anna died ill 
1853, aged eighty-two years. 



50 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS, 

years a noted place for meetings. An amusing incident occurred 
here which we give, as serving to illustrate the ignorance of divine 
things in that day. About 1810 John Walter preached here, 
at which time he had among his hearers a man named Adam. 
In the course of his sermon he remarked that it was absolutely 
necessary that the **01d Adam" be driven out, referring, of 
course, to the expulsion of the sinful nature. The individual 
Adam, however, did not understand it in that sense, but took it 
as a personal matter and left the assembly greatly offended. A 
daughter of John Rippley married Michael Kneisley, who also 
became a prominent member, and was for many years one of the 
pillars of the work on the Conestoga. 

A few miles distant from mother Thomas', at Conestoga 
Centre, lived Philip Herrman, who was the first in this neigh- 
borhood to open his house as a preaching place for Albright 
and his co-laborers. His wife Barbara, however, was very much 
opposed to it, and it was with difficulty that the appointments 
were filled. On one occasion when Albright was preaching, she 
blew out the lights. In the revival of 1809 she was converted, 
and thereafter the preachers were doubly welcome. Herrmanns 
house was for many years a preaching place. He died near the 
close of the first quarter of the century, and his wife died in 
1849, aged eighty- three years. 

The home of Henry Wertz and his wife Mary, near the 
Herrman home, was also a preaching place of Albright and 
his co-laborers. 

Henry Mandebach and his wife Maria and David Williams 
and his wife Magdalena were among the first members in Manor 
township, and their homes were, in all probability, preaching 
places. David Williams removed with Rippley and others to 
Fairview, Erie county. Pa., and were among the first members 
there. Brother W. died in 1864, aged eighty years, his wife 
having preceded him in i860. 

At Mt. Joy lived father Samuel Lehn and his wife Magda- 
lena. They were converted under the ministry of Albright in 
1804, and not long afterwards opened their house as a preaching 
place, which was an important point for many years. He was 
the father of Rev. Michael Lehn, who entered the ministry in 
1839. Father Lehn died in 1854, aged eighty-two years. His 
wife preceded him in 1847, aged seventy-five years. A class was 



THE EARLY DATS. 51 

formed here between 1807 and 1809. The sainted John Seybert 
served as leader of this class in 18 10, as well as the Manheim 
Class at the same time. 

The first and principal preaching place here was at Herman 
Long's. He was converted in the early days, probably on the 
Conestoga, and some time prior to 18 10 his house became a 
regular preaching place. He was a man of deep piety and great 
zeal for the cause of vital godliness. 

At Manheim entrance was gained soon after Albright's 
death. In 1809 a number of conversions took place under the 
labors of John Dreisbach and M. Betz, among whom was David 
BoYER. On the evening of April 5, 18 10, as Brother Betz 
preached his last sermon preparatory to going to conference, a 
young man named John Seybert was brought under conviction. 
Little did the young preacher think that his words would result 
in the conversion of the future first bishop of the church. Brother 
BoYER followed up the good impressions made by the preacher 
upon the heart of Seybert, and he was soon thereafter (June 21), 
as he expressed it, ** converted deep into eternal life." He was 
then living with Jacob Lehr who, with his entire family, was 
soon converted through his instrumentality. This same insatia- 
ble thirst for souls remained a predominant characteristic of 
Seybert through his entire ministry. He was appointed leader 
of both the Manheim and Mt. Joy classes (eight miles distant) 
in this same year. One of the first and most important preach- 
ing places at Manheim was at Catharine Krall's. 

A few miles below Columbia, on the Susquehanna River, is 
situated the town of Washington. Here lived a number of highly 
respected people, who opened their houses as preaching places. 
Among them may be named Father Andrew KAUFFMAN,and the 
brothers Abraham, Christian and David Herr. The time 
when the Evangelical preachers began their labors here cannot 
ascertained with certainty, but it is quite probable that Albright 
preached at Kauffman's, and Abraham, and Christian Herr's, 
as they were connected with the revival movement already prior 

Notes. — David Boyer was licensed as a local preacher soon after his con- 
version. He was the father of a large family, all of whom became useful 
members. He died in 1823. His family later removed to Dark county, Ohio, 
where his widow died in 1852. 

Father Lehr at an early day removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where his 
house became a preaching place, and here he died in 1846, aged seventy years* 



52 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

to 1800, and all ministers who preached experimental religion 
were welcome. That eminent servant of God, Christian New- 
comer, (later bishop in the United Brethren Church) records in 
his journal of 1801. *'T/its day (October 20) came to Abraham 
Herr^s. (22) To-day I preached here from Jer. xlvi. 13. Bless 
the Lord, conviction fastened on a few. We prayed with them 
some time. At night I preached at Christian Herr'^s from Ps. viii. 
5. The meeting continued until nearly daylight. " An Evangelical 
class was formed here about 18 10, of which Father Kauffman 
was leader. 

Dauphin County. About eight miles northeast of Harris- 
burg Albright found entrance in the early years of his ministry. 
A revival took place and a class was organized in 1806. The 
principal members were Jacob Becker and family. Also the 
Steins and Leonard Crum. The latter became class-leader, a 
position which he filled for many years, and the class became 
known as **Crum's Class." He died in 1869, aged eighty- three 
years. His wife Anna died in 1877, aged eighty- three years. 

As already noticed, Jacob Becker (also Baker) and family 
were members of the Paxton Class in 1805. A little later John 
Baker, a son, removed to the vicinity of Lingelstown, where he 
opened his house as a preaching place. He was a personal friend 
of Albright, and sometimes accompanied him to his neighboring 
appointments. He was one of the first members of the Paxton 
Class in 1805, and sometime after the class was established at 
Linglestown, he was made leader. For many years he was a 
strong pillar in the church. He died in 1868, aged eighty-four 
years. His son. Rev. C. H. Baker, labored many years in the 
itinerant ranks of the East Pa. Conference. 

In Fishing Creek Valley, about five miles north of Crums, 
beyond the mountain, Albright was received as early as 1800, 
by Benjamin and P. Stroh. The latter removed to Ohio at an 
early day and was one of the first to receive our missionaries in 
that State. Benjamin Stroh and his wife Mary became the 
chief pillars of the work in Fishing Creek Valley, and many con- 
versions took place in their house. In 1802 Albright baptized 
their daughter Mary, of whom more will be said hereafter. 
Father S. died in 1855, aged eighty-four years. Other members 

Note. — Father Andrew Kauffman died 1837, aged eighty-one years. 
David Herr died 1846, aged eighty-eight years. 



THE EARL Y DA T8. 53 

in the vicinity were the Colliers, Hoffmans* and GiPPELs.f 

About nine miles from Harrisburg, near the base of the Blue 

Mountain, is the village of Lingelstown. Here in the early days 

lived Peter Raidabach, a deacon and chorister in the L 

church. He was a well informed, highly respected man. In the 
beginning of 1808, during the prevalence of a snowstorm, a stranger 
on horseback stopped before his door, and requested lodging for 
the night, which was granted. This stranger was Jacob Albright, 
seeking the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He soon made 
known his character and requested permission to preach there 
that night, which was also granted. Word was sent throughout 
the neighborhood, and the house was filled with people, anxious 
to hear what the strange preacher had to say. Albright preached 
from the words, "1/ we confess our sins, He is faithful and just 
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.^'' 
(I. John i. 9.) The preacher spoke with great power, and a 
wonderful commotion was produced. The doctrine of the new 
birth and heart purity was something new to the people, and 
some contended with Albright during the service that his doc- 
trine was heretical, as they had never heard their preacher 
advance such ideas. Some, however, were convinced that the 
doctrine was in accordance with God's Word and that they had 
been following blind guides. After the people had dispersed, 
Albright convinced his host and the remaining friends from the 
Bible and the catechism that his doctrine was true. Another 
appointment was made for him and he preached on Sunday 
morning, after which he and Raidabach proceeded to Michael 
Becker's, where he also preached, little dreaming of the con- 
spiracy which Satan instigated to destroy the precious seed he 
had sown. That same Sunday morning a large number of people 
had met at their church and conspired to break up Albright's 
work, and if possible rescue their highly-esteemed chorister from 

Notes. — *The Hoffmans removed to Crawford county, Ohio. Mrs. H. was 
converted under Albright in 1801. She died in 1863, aged seventy-eight years. 

•j-George Gippel, a member of the above family, married Mary Ann Stroh. 
In 183 1 they removed ten miles north to Peter's Mountain, where they opened 
their house as a preaching place. A class was formed here of which Bro. G. 
became the leader, which position he held until 1852, when he and several other 
families removed to Grandview, Iowa, and where they organized themselves into 
a class. 'Wlq first Evangelical church in Iowa was built by them. Bro. G. was 
the first leader of this class, and remained in office until he died in 1856, aged 
fifty eight years. His wife survived until 189 1, aged eighty-eight years. 



I 



54 - EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

his influence. They proceeded to Raidabach's house to accom- 
plish their purpose, but when they arrived Albright and Raida- 
BACH had already gone to Michael Becker's. When Albright 
preached again, a little later, a number of evil disposed persons 
gathered around the house, intent on mischief. At the close of 
the service they rushed into the house to attack Albright and 
his host. In the struggle which ensued they dragged Raidabach 
out of the house. He had a number of sons who were fearless, as 
well as muscular young men, and who rushed upon their father's 
assailants. Bethinking themselves as to whether it would be 
right, they cried out, ^^Vater^sollen wir drauf schlagen? '*( **Father, 
shall we strike ? '' ) The father answered ' ' No. " Not in the least 
daunted by this dreadful persecution, Raidabach still clung to 
Albright, and soon after the foregoing occurrence it was deter- 
mined to hold a General Meeting at his house. At this meeting 
there were present Albright, Walter and Miller. The house 
was crowded with people, many of whom were convinced of their 
sinful state, while others were there to hinder, if possible, the 
spread of the work. In the afternoon Walter preached with 
wonderful power, so that during the sermon many cried out for 
mercy, while some fled in terror as though from the presence of 
God. The meeting was a great victory for the people of God. 
Many found salvation in the blood of the Lamb. A strong class 
was formed, of which Raidabach was made leader. A peculiar 
interest attaches to this man from the fact that at his house 
Albright held his last public service. On Easter day, 1808, there 
was a general meeting at John Brobst's in Berks county, where 
Albright stationed the preachers for the ensuing year. (There 
was no annual conference this year. ) Eight days after this another 
general meeting was held at Raidabach's, at which time Albright, 
Miller and John Dreisbach were present. Albright's health, 
however, was so precarious that he was not able to preach. He 
felt that his work was done, and arrangements were made to 
remove him to his home. It was here he gave that admirable 
advice which should find a place in the hearts of all Evangelical 
preachers. As he gave the parting hand to his faithful co-laborers, 
Miller and Dreisbach, he repeated the lines of a familiar hymn: 

*^JCampfe bis atif's Blut und Leben^ 
Dring hinein in Goites Reich.^'' 

'♦Struggle even unto blood, 
Press into the kingdom of God." 



THE EARLY DATS, 55 

When advanced in years, Father Raidabach and his children, 
who were then heads of families, removed to Medina county, 
Ohio, where they again became pioneers in the establishment of 
the church. Several of the sons were prominent members of the 
church. Father R. died at Gillfort, Medina county, Ohio, in 
1838, aged seventy-four years. His companion followed him 
in 1 84 1, aged eighty-four years. 

The first one to open his house to Albright and his co-laborers 
in lower Dauphin county, near Hanover, was Michael Becker, 
a brother of ihe Beckers on the Muehlbach. This was sometime 
in 1805, during which year a class was formed here by George 
Miller, of which Becker became the leader. 

As an illustration of the mighty power of God which often 
accompanied the preaching of His word, we here append part of 
a letter written by Father John Fleisher and published in the 
Christ lie he Botsehafter: 

Esteemed Brethren in the Lord : I have felt for some time as though 
I ought to write something for the Botsctiafter concerning God's work of years 
ago, and since I am old and unable to write much more, I will relate some things 
of the early days. Forty-three years ago (1805) Father Albright held a big 
meeting at MiCHAEL Becker's, two miles from Hanover, under some apple 
trees. On this occasion I found Him in whose blood we have purification from 
sin. On Sunday forenoon Brother Albright preached. After him John Walter 
spoke so powerfully that a wonderful commotion took place among the audience. 

There was a blind man present named H who was so deeply affected that 

he cried *^^<f/^r^.' " believing that the world was burning. Another man, 
then unconverted, sprang upon his horse and hastened to his people and told 
them that the world was coming to an end and was even then burning. I did 
not know Brother Miller very well as I only once came to where he preached. 
Still I know that God was with him. In course of time Brother Seybert came 
to our place to preach the gospel. At this time he also wanted to go into Stone 
Valley to preach. A certain man who was very much incensed against him, lay 
in ambush with a gun to murder him. In all probability he would have accom- 
plished his purpose, had not the Lord sent his servant by another way. Brother 
Seybert preached at that place, and gave out another appointment, but before 
he came again the audacious miscreant was in eternity* and the way to Stone 
Valley was free and open. John Fleisher. f 

Armstrong county^ Pa., Nov. 8, 1848. 



*Soon after his attempt to murder Brother S. the would-be assassin became 
very ill. He felt that he could not make his peace with God without a confession 
of his intended crime. This he made to his pastor. — Author. 

\ Father John Fleisher after an eventful life, died at Cussawago, Crawford 
county, Pa., 1865, aged eighty-four years. 



CHAPTER III 



THE '*NEW/' OR NORTHUMBERLAND CIRCUIT. 
Its Bounds and Appointments — Biographical Notes. 

SHamokitl* The region once embraced in the ''new," or 
Northumberland Circuit was at first known as Shamokin. It 
derived its name from an Indian town which occupied the present 
site of Sunbury, at the confluence of the North and West branches 
of the Susquehanna River. For the protection of the frontiers 
a strong fort was built there in 1756, in which the early settlers 
often found a refuge during the dark days of the Revolution. 
The name has been perpetuated in the beautiful city of Shamokin, 
situated east of Sunbury. In 1 7 7 2 the county of Northumberland 
was erected, and comprised all the upper region of the Susque- 
hanna River. The West Branch Valley properly begins at the 
junction of the two branches and extends north to Williamsport, 
thence west to Lock Haven, where the West Branch passes 
through the mountains. The distance is over sixty miles. West- 
ward from the river (West Branch) are many smaller valleys, 
extending laterally from it as follows : West of Sunbury is Middle 
Creek Valley, in Snyder county. A few miles north of Sunbury, 
and opening on the river, is Dry Valley, in Union county. A 
little north of this, and separated from it by the New Berlin 
Mountain, is the fertile and lovely Buffalo Valley. Farther north 
is White Deer Valley. West of Buffalo and White Deer are 
Penns, Brush and Sugar Valleys. The new or Northumberland 
Circuit comprised not only the aforenamed valleys, but extended 
up the North Branch as far as (now) Luzerne county, south 
into Perry and Juniata counties and westward into Bedford and 
Cambria counties, and had over fifty preaching places prior to 



THE EARLY DAYS. 57 

Albright's death— 1808. This region now comprises a lai^ge 
part of the Central Pa. and a part of the Pittsburg Conferences. 

Miller's Successful Work. 

In 1806 this vast field, hundreds of miles in extent, was given 
in charge of Rev. George Miller, who entered upon his work 
in the beginning of June. Finding the field too extended, he 
did not supply the western appointments, in Morrison's Cove, 
Bedford county,* but exerted himself to the utmost to establish 
firmly the work of the Lord in the valleys contiguous to the West 
Branch, and revivals attended his labors ever5nvhere. Over one 
hundred souls were added to the church on this fieW alone, which 
almost doubled the membership of the Association. 

Six classes were formed on the charge this year, as follows : 
New Berlin, in Dry Valley, Michael Maize, leader ; the Thomas 
Class, in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Fred. Herpster, 
leader; the Dreisbach Class, in Buffalo Valley, Father Martin 
Dreisbach, leader -, the Lewisburg Class, Buffalo Valley, Chris- 
tian Wolf, leader; the Millheim Class, in Penns Valley; the 
Brush Valley Class, Christopher Spangler, leader. In a short 
time thereafter several of the classes were divided. The members 
of the Thomas Class, who lived in the vicinity of Adamsburg, 
were formed into a separate class. The members near Middle- 
burg were taken from the Dry Valley Class, about 1807, and 
were formed into Walter's Class, John Walter, leader, who 
held that position until his death, in 1828. The Penns Valley 
Class was also divided soon after its foundation, and the members 
living at the eastern end of the valley were formed into a class. 

Great Revival. In 1 8 1 1 another general revival took place 
on the circuit under the labors of John Erb and Leonard Zim- 
merman, and more than one hundred souls were added to the 
church. The meeting at Walter's was especially successful. 
Many prominent people were converted there, and a new class 
was formed soon after a few miles northeast, called Hummel's 
Class. Organizations were also effected, as the outcome of this 
revival, in Upper Penns Valley, Centre county (Dauberman's 
Class, 1811,), White Deer and East Dry Valley, in Union county, 
and Summer Hill, in Columbia county. 

Tlie Thoitias Appoiutmeilt. The earliest permanent ap- 
pointments of Albright, west of the Susquehanna River, were in 

* Miller's Leben, page 1 10. 



58 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Musser's Valley, situated partly in Mifflin and partly in Snyder 
county, Pa. In this valley was the home of Father John Thomas 
and wife Mary, about two miles northeast of the village of 
Wagoner. In Decatur township, Mifflin county, Pa., Albright 
gained entrance at the home of Father Thomas as early as 1800, 
but several years passed before any visible fruits of his labors 
appeared. Father Thomas at this time was well advanced in 
years. His family consisted of ten adult children, all of whom, 
as well as his sons and daughters-in-law and a number of grand- 
children, became members of the society in Albright's time. 
Father Thomas died in peace in 1813, at an advanced age. 

The First Revival* In the Autumn of 1802 Albright 
held his first general meeting west of the Susquehanna River at 
the house of Father John Thomas. This was the second of his 
ministry, the first having been held the previous June at Leeser's, 
in Berks county. At this meeting he was assisted by his only 
colleague, the youthful John Walter. The meeting was held 
under some cherry trees near the house. A great mass of people 
assembled there from all directions. The character of the meet- 
ing was novel to the people and awakened great interest. It 
continued from Saturday until Monday. On Sabbath morning 
Albright preached from the words, **I Am the Light of the 
World, ** (John viii. 12), which made a deep impression. Walter 
also preached with great effect. After this meeting they visited 
many families and secured new preaching places. The following 
Spring another meeting was held in the orchard, a stand having 
been erected after the manner of modern bush-meetings. At 
this meeting Walter preached an unusually powerful sermon, 
from the words, **Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, 
fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with 
banners?" (Sol. Song vi. 10.) During these meetings a con- 
siderable number of conversions took place, and in 1803 the 
converts formed themselves into a society. In this class or 
praying band were Father Thomas and his son John, and others 

Note. — The family of Father Thomas consisted of the following, according 
to their ages : Barbara, married to John Harpster ; Margaret, married 
to Jacob Treas ; Catharine, married to George Harpster ; Elizabeth, 
married to JoHN Lawyer ; Susan, married to Fred. Harpster (class leader); 
John, married to Catharine Becker ; Elizabeth, married to John Wales ; 
Mary, married to Jacob Reber ; Eye, married to Isaac Gill ; George, 
married to Mary Hartman. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 59 

of the family ; also Father Andrew Wonder and family. It 
does not seem that they considered themselves as having with- 
drawn from the formal church of which they were members, 
although they recognized Albright and Walter as their spirit- 
ual guides. 

Miller's Arrival. In May, 1806, George Miller took 
charge of Northumberland Circuit. The following harvest he 
preached at the house of Father Thomas, from the words, <*The 
Lord be with you. " (Ruth ii. 4. ) In October he preached again 
from the words, ''For as many as are led by the Spirit of God 
they are the sons of God." (Rom. viii. 14. ) A great awakening 
resulted from this sermon, and many people were converted soon 
after. The godly people no longer hesitated to sever their con- 
nection with the formal churches. A class was formed in the 
Fall of 1806, with Frederick Harpster as leader and Isaac 
Gill as assistant, and was known as the Thomas Class. The 
preaching places of this vicinity, besides Father Thomas', were 
the homes of his son John, his son-in-law John, Fred. Harpster 
and John Lawver, and also at Father Andrew Wonder's. 

Great Opposition. Soon after the converts had formed 
themselves into a class in 1803, they became the subjects of bitter 
persecution. Their meetings were sometimes broken up, and 
some suffered bodily harm. At one time the young people of 
the class, according to previous appointment, met in a secluded 
spot in the forest, where they united in agonizing prayer for the 
conversion of their persecutors and the establishment of the work. 
When the Evangelical Class was formally established, three years 
later, the opposition became even more intense. At one time, 
when Brother Harpster was conducting a meeting, some of the 
chief opponents boldly arose in the assembly and denounced the 
praying people. Advancing to where Brother Harpster stood, 
one of them violently struck the table and called him a false 
prophet and a deceiver. Brother H. then called upon God's 
people to fall upon their knees and pray for their persecutors. A 
mighty cry for divine help arose, which filled the rabble with 
terror and consternation. A number were overpowered by the 
influence of the Spirit, others fled precipitately across a stream 
near by, after which they stopped and defiantly shook their fists 
toward the house, but were afraid to return. 

Brother Fred. Harpster and John Thomas, Jr., were licensed 
as local preachers soon after the formation of the class. The 



eo EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

license of the latter bore the signature of Albright. When some 
years after the establishment of the class Father Thomas died, 
and no suitable minister was within reach, his son John officiated 
at the obsequies of his father. This fact is well authenticated^ 

The Wonder Family. It seems proper in this connection 
to insert a brief account of Father Andrew Wonder and family. 
Father Wonder was the son of George Wonder, who was of a 
titled and highly influential family in Germany. He emigrated * 
to America when Andrew was still a youth, and settled near 
York, Pa. , where he died. Andrew married Catharine Swartz, 
of York county. Their children were Catharine, John, Jacob,. 
Daniel, Matthias, George, Benjamin, Samuel, Valentine, 
Christopher, Henry and Mary. From York county he removed 
to the Greybill settlement, in Juniata county, and again removed, 
near the beginning of the present century, to Mifflin county, 
where he and his family came under the influence of Albright 
at the house of Father Thomas. He and most of his family 
were converted in 1803, and became members of the provisional 
class. The rest of the children, who were still small, became 
members soon afterward. Later he removed across the moun- 
tain into Juniata county, where his house also became a preaching 
place. While residing there he and his entire household were 
baptized in the Cocolamus Creek. From there he removed to 
Ohio, as also his children, with one exception. His sons Daniel 

♦Ship "Hope," Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. i, 1773. Pennsylvania Archives. 

Biographical Notes. — Father Andrew Wonder died in Ohio in 1846, 
aged eighty-three years. Catharine, his wife, died in 1848, aged eighty-three 
years. Their son, Rev. Daniel Wonder, born in York county, Pa., in 1791, 
was married to Catharine, a daughter of the class leader, F. Harpster. In 
1822 he removed to Ohio, and was the first class leader at Flat Rock in 1830. 
He entered the active ministry in 1838, located in 1845, ^"^ ^^^^ while on a 
visit to Blue Springs, Neb., in 1887, aged almost ninety-six years, having been 
a member of the Evangelical Association eighty-two years. Rev. Matthias 
Wonder died in Ohio in 1864. Mother Mary Moss, youngest child of Father 
Wonder, died in 1877, at a very advanced age. When the Author was pastor 
at Newport in J875-76, Mother Moss was a member of his charge. She was 
remarkably active for one of her age, seldom missing a service, and a true mother 
in Israel. She had much to say of that holy man of God, Jacob Albright, 
and often spake of the angelic expression of his countenance. John Lawver 
died in Mifflin county. Pa., in 1843, aged 70 years. After the removal of his 
friends to the West, Brother Lawyer became the pillar of the old Thomas 
appointment, and both the church and class at that place now bear his name. 



THE EARLY DA TS. 61 

and Matthias became local preachers in the Ohio Conference, 
the former serving several years in the active ranks. 

Extensive Emigratioil to Ohio. Near the close of the 
first quarter of the century a considerable number of the members 
of the Thomas Class removed to Ohio. They were followed a 
few years later by others, which comprised almost the entire 
class. In this number were John and George Harpster and 
their families. Also the family of Fred. Harpster, he having 
died in 1818. Also John Thomas, Jr., John Wales, Jacob 
Reber, Isaac Gill and Jacob Treas. These were all heads of 
families and, as already noted, members of the Thomas family, 
and all members of the original class. To the foregoing must 
also be added Father Andrew Wonder and all his family, with 
the exception of one daughter, Mary. Some of these families 
located in Wayne county, in the vicinity of Wooster. Others 
settled in the Sandusky country, mostly at Flat Rock, in (now) 
Seneca county. A few years afterward a number of the families 
in Wayne county also removed to their friends in Seneca county. 

Beaver Dam and Vicinity. In Beaver township, Snyder 
county, in the vicinity of Adamsburg, and about ten miles east of 
the Thomas appointment, the founder of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation gained entrance as early as 1802. This locality was known 
in the early days as the Beaver Dam. The men who first opened 
their doors to Albright in this region were John Muck and Philip 
Smith, and in 1805-6, Geo. Hartman, Daniel Mowry and Jacob 
Bordner. They were all prominent men, and staunch supporters 
of the Evangelical work in its infancy, and merit a fuller notice. 

John Muck was probably the first in the valley to open his 
house as a preaching place. A number of his children were grown, 
and also became members of the original class prior to 1808. 
They were Jacob, Conrad, Samuel and Daniel. Samuel en- 
tered the itinerancy in 181 7, and rendered five years of active 
service. Several of the family removed to East Rush, N. Y., 
where Father John Muck died in 1848, at the age of eighty-eight 
years. It is worthy of record that upon his death bed he obli- 
gated his son to write to all his unconverted children and friends 
in his name, and entreat them to become Christians. Conrad 
and Jacob Muck settled at Bellview, Seneca county, Ohio, where 
they died. Conrad was for many years a local preacher. 

Philip Smith and his wife Eve opened their house as one r^ 
the first appointments of the Northumberland Circ ' 



62 E VANGELICAL ASSOC! A TION ANNALS. 

remained a preaching place for almost forty years. Brother Smith 
was the first leader of the Beaver Dam Class, and was licensed 
in the early days as a local preacher. He spent one year (1816) 
in the active ranks. He died in 1864. George Hartman and 
his wife Barbara, who was a sister to Abraham Frey, were con- 
verted at the house of the latter, through the ministry of Jacob 
Albright, in 1805, and soon thereafter opened their house as 
a preaching place, and both became pillars in the society. Many 
general and three camp- meetings were held on their place prior 
to 1833. In this year they removed to Sandusky county, Ohio, 
where their house also became a preaching place. The first camp- 
meeting on Sandusky Circuit was held on their place. Brother 
H. died in 1844, aged sixty- three years, and his companion in 
1855, aged seventy- three years. 

Daniel Mowry and his wife Magdalena {nee Frey) were 
also of the first members, and their house was one of the first 
preaching places. Brother Mowry also removed to Ohio, and 
settled near his brother-in-law, Geo. Hartman. Brother Mow- 
ry*s home in Ohio was also one of the preaching places of the 
old Sandusky Circuit. 

Jacob Bordner and his wife Elizabeth were converted under 
Albright and colleagues, and their house became an early preach- 
ing place. They were both prominent members of the society. 
Their daughter became the wife of Rev. Philip Wagoner, and 
for nearly half a century shared with him the privations of the 
itinerancy. Brother Bordner died in 1 8 1 9, aged forty-five years. 
His wife died in Seneca county, N. Y., in 185 1, aged seventy- 
one years. 

Freeburg and Black Oak Ridge. In the vicinity of 
Freeburg,. Snyder county, several families opened their homes to 
our first preachers. The most important preaching place was 
at Charles Straub's, where in course of time a society was 
established. 

Several miles from Adamsburg, at Black Oak Ridge, lived a 
highly respected man named William Becker, better known as 
Squire Becker, as he was a Justice of the Peace for many years. 
He was a converted man long before the advent of Albright in 
this region, and was one of the first to welcome him to his house 
^'^n he first visited this locality. His house became a regular 
>lace probably as early as 1803. In later years many 



TEE EARL 7 DA YS. 63 

conversions took place there and a society was formed, called the 
Manbeck Class. 

Middleburg and Vicinity. A few miles north of Mid- 
dleburg, and almost midway between the latter place and New 
Berlin, was one of the first appointments west of the Susquehanna 
River. This was at John Walter's, Sr.* Inasmuch as he be- 
came a pillar in the church, a more extended notice of himself 
and connections seems proper. His father, Jacob Walter, was 
one of the first settlers in this locality. His home was about one 
mile west of Middleburg in (now) Snyder county, Pa. He was 
born in Germany in 1727, and died in 1803. He was an upright 
man, liberal and evangelical in his views, and his house was a 
preaching place long before churches were built in this locality. 
Three of his sons received our first preachers, and their houses 
were among the chief preaching places in the early days. They 
were John, Philip and Henry. 

John Walter's house was one of the first appointments. It 
is certain that it was a preaching place prior to 1800. There are 
a number of entries in the Journal of Bishop Christian Newcom- 
mer of visits to John Walter's house, and preaching there about 
that time. Albright may not have embraced John Walter's 
in his list of appointments quite so early, but when the new cir- 
cuit was formed in 1804, it was one of the chief places, and many 
important revivals took place at his house, notably in 181 1. 
Some of the most victorious camp-meetings were held on his 
land, and many persons who in later years became prominent 
ministers and laymen were converted here, among whom may be 
mentioned Bishop W. W. Orwig and Daniel Brickley, in 1826, 
who together bowed at the same altar. A class was organized 
here at an early day, of which Brother Walter was leader until 
his death in 1828. His family likewise were members of the 
church in its infancy. John Walter, Jr., entered the active 
ministry in 18 13, served awhile in the itinerancy, located, and 
later removed to Michigan, where he died in 1874, aged seventy- 
seven years. Michael entered the itinerancy in 18 14, and ren- 
dered five years of active service, broke down in health, and 
later removed to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he rendered 
great service in establishing the Evangelical work. He died in 
1856, aged sixty-two years. A daughter of Father John Walter 

* This family had no connection with the Jonestown family. 



64 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

was married to Rev. John Stambach, who also entered the active 
ministry in 1813. 

P HiLip Walter, son of the emigrant, and brother to John, 
Sr. , also opened his home to Albright and colleagues, and his 
house was a preaching place for many years. He died about 
18 1 9, and his wife Eve Maria in 1843, aged seventy-seven years. 

Henry Walter, youngest son of the emigrant, lived about 
one mile and a half north-east of Middleburg. His house was 
also one of the early preaching places. He was a most exem- 
plary man and highly esteemed. His place was also noted for 
general and camp-meetings. He died in 1840, aged sixty-seven 
years. His wife Magdalena died the same year. 

Another important family at this place were the Frey's. 
About 1796 Jacob Frey, Sr., emigrated from Berks county. Pa., 
and settled in the vicinity of Middleburg. He was then well 
along in years and his children were grown up. They all be- 
came, so far as known, members of the Evangelical Association 
in its infancy, and a number became prominent, as follows : 
Jacob Frey, Jr., entered the itinerancy under Albright in 1807. 
In 1808 he was sent to organize a new circuit in York county, 
but owing to an indiscretion he was obliged to retire from the 
work. Later he removed to Ohio, where he was again received 
into the ministry, and rendered several years of service. Abra- 
ham Frey and his wife Margaret lived about three miles from 
Middleburg. Their house became a regular preaching place in 
1805. Brother Frey was a very devoted and liberal man, and 
especially noted as a fine singer. He died in 1850, aged eighty- 
two years. His son Abraham, Jr., entered the active ranks of 
the Eastern Conference in 1832, traveled a number of years in 
Pennsylvania, then entered the work in Ohio, where he labored 
successfully, but broke down in health, and died in 1843, aged 
thirty-three years. Two daughters of Jacob Frey, Sr., Barbara 
and Magdalena, married to Geo. Hartman and Daniel Mowry 
respectively, were converted, as also their husbands. (See Beaver 
Dam.) 

George Adam Bowersox and his wife Mary, who lived in 
the vicinity of Middleburg, were also of the first members, and 
their home was a preaching place. He was for many years one 
of the leading men of the charge. He was born in 1774, and 
died in 1852. Many of his descendants are prominent members 



THE EARL Y DA YS. 65 

of the Evangelical Association, among whom may be mentioned 
the brothc:rs Reuben and Josiah Bowersox, of the Central Pa. 
Conference. The former died in 1879; the latter has been, since 
1870, on the Pacific Coast, where he has contributed more than 
any other man to build up the interests of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation 

Centre ville and Hummel 's Class. A few miles west of 
New Berlin, near Centreville, lived Jacob Kehr and his wife 
Mary. They were converted in the great revival of 1806, and 
immediately thereafter their house became a regular preaching 
place for Albright and his colleagues. Some very important 
revivals took place here, and Father Kehr was known throughout 
the society as one of its strongest pillars. He died in 1830, aged 
sixty-five years, and his wife in 1849, aged seventy-nine years. 
They were the parents of Rev. Daniel Kehr. (See biography. ) 

About four miles east of New Berlin lived Father Christian 
Hummel, whose house became a preaching place in 1810. A 
class was organized here about this time called HummePs Class, 
md is still known by that name. Father Hummel died in 1848, 
aged sixty-six years. 

Chapman. In Chapman township, now Snyder county, 
Albright gained entrance as early as 1804, when John Schwartz 
opened his house as a preaching place. This was a famous place 
for general meetings, and many important revivals took place 
here. Father S. died in 1843, aged seventy-six years, and his 
wife Mary in 1847, aged eighty years. George Shetterly and 
his wife Elizabeth, who were converted here, opened their house 
as a preaching place in 1806. He died in 1846, aged seventy- 
three years, and his wife in 185 1, aged eighty-one years. 

John Thornton and his wife Magdalena, who lived in this 
locality, were converted under the ministry of Albright and 
colleagues, and circumstances point to their house as a preaching 
place in 1 806. Thornton died in 1 8 1 6. In 1 83 1 his son Henry, 
a prominent member of the church, removed to Greensburg, 
Ohio, where his mother died in 1847, aged eighty-one years. In 
1856 he removed to Elkhart, Ind., where he died in 1879, aged 
eighty-two years. 

Juniata County. Several miles northwest of Liverpool, 
Pa., was the home of Father John Rough and his wife Marga- 
ret, formerly of Dauphin county. They were among the first 



66 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

members of the Association, and their house was a preaching 
place from 1806 to the time of his death in 1846, at the age of 
seventy years. Some of his children were converted at an early 
day, and the house of John Rough, Jr., who lived west of his 
father, became a preaching place in later years. 

About the middle of the century, the sons of Father Rough 
removed to Portage Prairie, Berrien county, Mich., where for 
many years they were pillars in the church and known far and 
wide for their liberality. Here Mother Rough died in 1853, aged 
eighty years. John Rough, Jr., died near Buchannan, Mich., 
in 1892, aged almost ninety-five years. His brother David pre- 
ceded him a few years, at an advanced age. 

Dry Valley — The Maize Family. About 1796 a widow 
named Maize (also Miesse) removed from Lebanon county. Pa., 
to Dry Valley, Union county. Their home was about one and 
a half miles below the town of New Berlin, on the Penns Creek. 
She had two sons, Michael and John Adam, both of whom be- 
came supporters of Albright and pillars in the church. Michael 
occupied the homestead, while John lived in New Berlin. The 
former opened his house as a preaching place upon the establish- 
ment of the New Circuit in 1804. When the great revival of 
1806 crowned the labors of Rev. George Miller on the New 
Circuit, many conversions also took place at the house of Michael 
Maize. In consequence of his support of Albright, Brother 
Maize was sorely persecuted. So great was the opposition against 
the work that on one occasion when John Dreisbach preached 
at his house an attack was made and the preacher narrowly 
escaped serious injury. Persecution, however, did not daunt 
the zeal of Brother Maize. Through his instrumentality entrance 
was gained in the town of New Berlin. 

When the Dry Valley Class was organized, in 1806, he became 
its leader, and as this was the first clas3 organized on the New 
Circuit, he has the distinction of being Xh.Q first regular Evangel- 
ical class leader west of the Susquehanna River. At an early day 
he was licensed as a local preacher, in which office he served the 
church efficiently until his death in 1842, aged seventy- two years. 
His wife Anna Barbara died in 1848, aged seventy- two years. 
His daughter Mary was the wife of Rev. James Barber. Michael 
Maize's home was a sort of headquarters in the early days. In 
his large barn were held many important general meetings before 
the erection of the church at New Berlin. 



THE EARLY DA Y8. 67 

First Camp -Meeting. The first camp-meeting of the 
Association was held on the land of Brother Maize in June, 1810. 
This was the first German camp-meeting ever held in America, 
and perhaps of the world. The camp was attended by members 
from all parts of the society, some from a distance of nearly one 
hundred miles. The meeting was a season of great rejoicing and 
spiritual quickening. Great multitudes of people were induced 
by curiosity to see what the meeting was like. 

The remarkable superstition and spiritual darkness of that 
period is well illustrated by the following description of the camp- 
meeting given the author by a very aged lady in 1868 : She, in 
company with a great number of young men and women, started 
from the Hills in (now) Snyder county. They agreed to keep 
close together for mutual protection against the influence of the 
**Strawveler preachers." They all waded across Penns Creek, 
which is a stream of considerable size. A half mile farther on 
was the camp-ground. She said the woods was crowded with 
people from far and near, and that nearly all who entered the 
circle of tents and took seats were taken with a '^ spell," so that 
some cried and some shouted and clapped their hands, etc. 
She and her company, however, kept a safe distance from the 
preachers, fearing they might be overcome by the magic power 
which they (the preachers) scattered over the people. 

Begimiiiis of the Work at New Berlin. There is no 
place in our connection more replete with interesting memories 
than New Berlin. What the city of Mecca is to the Moslem, or 
Jerusalem to the Jew, New Berlin is to every true Evangelical. 
For almost half a century it was the general headquarters of the 
church. The town is beautifully situated at the head of Dry 
Valley, on the banks of Penns Creek, which separates Union 
from Snyder county, and is about seven miles west of the Sus- 
quehanna River. 

When Union county was erected, in 18 13, from part of 
Northumberland county, New Berlin became the county seat. 
Over forty years later Union county was divided, and the south- 
ern part constituted Snyder county and the county seat of Union 
county was removed to Lewisburg, This, in addition to the re- 
moval of the Publishing House of the Evangelical Association 
from New Berlin to Cleveland, Ohio, proved a severe blow to 
the prosperity of the town, and its decadence followed. 

In June, 1805, Albright and his colleagues, Walter and 



68 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

Miller, traveled in company over the newly established North- 
umberland Circuit. They had been to various places in Penns 
and Buffalo Valleys. In the latter part of the month they filled 
an appointment on Sunday at Mifflinburg, in Buffalo Valley, about 
five miles north of New Berlin. On Monday following they came 
to Dry Valley and dined at Michael MAizE^s,who resided a short 
distance below New Berlin. At Walter's request Brother Maize 
secured permission for him to preach in a school-house near the 
southern end of the town, and he preached there a number of 
times. Opposition, however, arose, and the trustees refused the 
further use of the school-house. In August, Walter came to fill 
an appointment here, and found the door barred against him. 
He then preached to an immense number of people, standing in 
front of the school-house door. The wonderful incident of the 
door flymg open during the sermon as by miraculous power the 
reader will find in Walter's biography. 

The first man to open his house in New Berlin as a preaching 
place for Albright and his colleagues was Henry Shreffler, 
who later removed to Penns Valley, Centre county, where he died 
in 1837, aged eighty-five years. A number of his family were 
also members of the original class. Other influential members 
of the society at New Berlin, who were converted under the min- 
istry of Albright and his colleagues in 1805-7, were the follow- 
ing : John Adam Maize and his wife Mary. He was a close 
friend of Rev. Geo. Miller, and it is said he assisted him in the 
preparation and publication of the first Discipline of the church, 
in 1809. His son, Michael F. Maize, entered the itinerancy in 
1833, and was for some years a prominent man in the church. 
John Adam Maize died in 1866, aged eighty-three years. Peter 
Smith and his wife Magdalena were chief members of the New 
Berlin society. He died in the early part of the century. ' ^ His 
wife died in the western part of the State in 185 1, aged eighty- 
eight years. Michael Shower and wife, and also Adam Shower 
and his wife Catharine (the latter family removed to Venango 
county. Pa. ) were also members of the original class. Frederick 
Shower, a member of one of these families, entered the itiner- 
ancy in 181 2, and rendered several years of successful service. 
In 18 1 6 he was sent as one of the two missionaries to Ohio to 
establish the work of the Evangelical Association in that State, 
but was lost to the church through a misalliance. This he after- 
wards regretted, and was again received into the church in 1828, 



THE EARLY BAYS. 69 

and died within her fold. Michael Wagoner and his wife 
Grate were also of the first members of the cbss, and lived to 
an advanced age. He died in 1863. 

The First Church. The first church edifice of the Evan- 
gelical Association was erected at New Berlin in 18 16, and dedi- 
cated March 2, 181 7, by Rev. John Dreiseach, who preached 
from Psalm xxxvii. 4. The building was a log structure, 34x38 
feet in dimensions. In later years it was remodeled and sur- 
mounted with a belfry and bell. When the church was demolished 
in 1873, a general expression of regret was manifested in all parts 
of the church that a place of such historic interest was not pre- 
served. How sacred the memories that clustered around it ! In 
it the infant church, which but the previous year was named 
**The Evangelical Association,** found a home, and for five suc- 
cessive years the annual conference was held in it, (1818-1822), 
besides thirteen times thereafter, also three sessions of the Gen- 
eral Conference. Men who afterwards became prominent in the 
church here received their commissions, among whom may be 
mentioned Bishops Seybert, Long and Orwig, James Barber, 
P. Wagoner, Adam Kleinfelter, John Breidenstein, John 
Hamilton, J. M. Saylor and Francis Hoffman. In this church 
also, great revivals took place. Immediately in the rear of the 
church, on the bank of the creek, stood the school-house where 
the remarkable incident recorded in the biography of Walter 
occurred. 

The first printing house of the society was erected by the side 
of the church in 1817. Its size was 20x28 feet. Many years 
afterwards it was removed to the opposite corner and is still 
(1894) in use as a dwelling. 

On April 27, 181 6, Conrad Phillips and John Walter, 
acting for the Association, purchased a lot on the north side of 
the town for burial purposes, in which many of our Evangelical 
fathers found sepulture, among whom may be mentioned George 
and Solomon Miller, Albright's associates, Thos. Buck, Jas. 
Barber, Michael Maize, Sr., and his brother John H., Geo. 
Miller, <nhe printer," and many others. 

Educational Interests. New Berlin is also the birthplace 
of the educational interests of the church. In 1846 the West 
Pennsylvania Conference at its annual session here organized the 
first educational society. At the General Conference held here 
the followinfr year John Dreisbach offered the first resolution 



70 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

for the establishment of an institution of learning, the ultimate 
result of which was the establishment of Union Seminary at New 
Berlin, which in course of time developed into Central Pennsyl- 
vania College. 

Dry Valley — The Eyer Family. In 1773 a Mennonite 
preacher named Abraham Ever removed from Lancaster county, 
Pa., to Dry Valley, Northumberland county (now Union). The 
peculiar circumstances which led to his removal to this valley, 
and his important connection with the church in its infancy, 
entitle him to prominent notice in its history. 

Being in somewhat straitened circumstances, with an increas- 
ing family dependent upon him for support, he resolved to bring 
the matter before the Lord in prayer, and ask His will and 
guidance in taking such a course that would bring both him and 
his family temporal and spiritual blessings. The answer of the 
Lord was, *'Go to Shamokin,'"^ As oft as he repeated his peti- 
tion, the answer came with unmistakable clearness — to his mind 
— ^^Go to Shamokin,^^ How similar the case of Father Ever 
with that of the patriarch Abraham of old. **Now, the Lord 
had said unto Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from 
thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will 
show thee," &c. Gen. xii. i. 

Following the leading of Providence, he started with his fam- 
ily for the Shamokin country. Turning up the valley, he halted 
at a big wbdte-oak tree, at a point about two miles west of the 
West Branch, and about five miles east of New Berlin. His 
earthly possessions consisted of his team, and such articles as he 
was able to bring with him, and three dollars in money. 

Here he found a considerable tract of land still vacant, whicfe 
he took up. For many years the oak tree was permitted to stand 
as a memorial of the event, and was a conspicuous object, as 
viewed from the road leading to New Berlin. 

After making extensive improvements here, he acquired in 
May, 1797, another farm on the river, where the town of Winfield 
now stands. Leaving the old farm in the hands of other mem- 
bers of the family, he removed to his River farm about the 
commencement of the present century. Ever was one of the first 

*The region about the confluence of the North and West Branches of the 
Susquehanna River was then called "Shamokin." 



THE EARL Y DATS. 71 

men in this region to open his doors to Albright, and his house 
on the ** River farm'* became one of the first regular preaching 
places west of the Susquehanna, in 1804. 

Although he was for many years previous a consistent Chris- 
tian, as he understood ity and an expounder of the Bible, yet it 
would seem that he lived only a moral life and knew but little 
of the spiritual power of religion. A great change, however, was 
wrought in him and his family (most of whom were now grown) 
by the faithful preaching of the gospel. We will give the circum- 
stances as recorded in George Miller's journal of his labors in 
1806 : **In Eyer's neighborhood the Lord wrought repentance, 
but the family I gave up for some time because it seemed to be 
their purpose to be destroyed in their own self-righteousness. 
However, through God's leadings I received new courage to 
preach the word to them. I then preached with might against 
the love of the world and self-righteousness, that they might own 
themselves condemned sinners. They were at first offended over 
it, but God gave grace, so that most of them became true Chris- 
tians, as well as other persons in the neighborhood." 

Henceforth this large and excellent family, with the exception 
of one son, threw the weight of its influence on the side of 
Albright and his associates. The father became a power in the 
infant society, many general meetings were held at his place, at 
which times he would feed hundreds of people. The son already 
referred to, predicted that the Albrights would eat hina out of 
house and home, and he would be obliged to beg for a living, 
but his brother Isaac told him that he that dug a pit for others 
was apt to fall into it himself. This prediction was literally ful- 
filled, as the recreant son died in want on top of Nippenose 
Mountain, while the liberal father always had enough and to 
spare. Although Father Ever was small of stature, he possessed 
extraordinary strength and agility, and frequently surprised the 
big rowdies who disturbed the meetings by the summary manner 
in which he ejected them from the house. He always maintained 
that God gave him special strength for such occasions. 

A remarkable instance of the importance of a word in season 
deserves to be recorded here. It was Father Eyer's custom to 
gather his family every Sabbath afternoon around a large table, 
when he would read and explain the Scriptures to them. About 
this time there was living with them the young school teacher of 
the place, who was preparing himself for the ministry of the 



72 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Reformed Church. At one of these Bible readings this young 
man began to critcise the old gentleman's comments and exhor 
tations by saying that this was unnecessary, and that superfluous, 
etc., whereupon Father Eyer arose to his feet and began to exhort 
the young man in an earnest manner, telling him that he was a 
stranger to vital godliness and knew nothing of experimental 
religion. The effect on the young man's mind was immediate 
and powerful. He was deeply convicted of his sinful condition, 
and soon thereafter converted to God, and in 1809 entered the 
itinerancy. This was none other than Henry Niebel, whose 
name stands inseparably connected with the early history of the 
church. 

No laymen in the early history of the church wielded a greater 
influence than Father Eyer. His two sons-in-law, when still 
young men, became the leaders of the society, and it is no pre- 
sumption to say that his fatherly counsels had great weight in 
shaping the affairs of the church. His family consisted of thir- 
teen adult children, as follows, in the order of their ages : John, 
Barbara, Abraham, Elizabeth, Magdalena, Anna, Catharine, 
Mary, Fannie, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah and Christian. 

John Dreisbach, who, next to Albright himself, is the most 
important figure in the history of the church, married Eyer's 
daughter Catharine in 181 1. On April 4, 1815, she died, leav- 
ing two children. About two years after her death he married 
her sister Fannie, with whom he had eleven children. Of the 
above two sons, Abraham and Jacob, became ministers, while 
many grandchildren are ministers and ministers' wives. Barbara 
married Rev. David Shellenberger, and their son also was a 
minister. Sarah married John Van Buskirk. One of their 
daughters married Rev. S. Aurand, of the Central Pa. Confer- 
ence, who is now one of the fathers of the conference. Henry 
Niebel (the young schoolmaster) married Mary. Two brothers, 
Daniel and Philip Hoy, married Molly (Magdalena) and 
Lizzie, respectively. Both brothers migrated to Ohio in 1806, 
and were the first to receive our missionaries in 1816, and without 
doubt the first members of the church in that State. They were 
both strong pillars on the old Lancaster Circuit. Some of the 
first camp and general meetings of our church in that State were 
held at their places. Molly Hoy (Daniel's wife) was especially 
noted for her kindness of heart. When that region was still 
sparsely settled she would go many miles through the darkness 



THE EARL T DA TS. 7S 

of the night to visit the sick and relieve the suffering. Her 
daughter Catharine married Rev. Joseph Long, who became 
the second bishop of the church. Martin Dreisbach (cousin 
of Rev. John D. ) married Anna Ever. Said Martin D. had 
migrated to Ohio about 1809 or 1810 with wife and five children. 
On his way to Ohio his wife died, at or near Pittsburg, Pa. He 
proceeded on his way with his motherless children and settled in 
Ross county, twelve miles east of Chilicothe. In course of time 
he returned East and married Anna Ever, who made her bridal 
trip of over four hundred miles, through great forests and over 
unbridged streams on horseback. They were also among the 
first to receive our preachers in Ohio. 

Of the sons of Father Eyer, perhaps the best known to the 
church was the late Isaac Ever, who possessed the *' Valley" 
farm of his father. He was born in 1793, and when a youth 
gave his heart to God in the great revival of 1806. For fully 
seventy years he was identified with the church, giving liberally 
of his abundant means for the furtherance of her interests and 
enterprises. When a young man he was married to Elizabeth 
Klinefelter, sister of Adam K., one of the early and prominent 
preachers of the church. He died June 15, 1879, at the age of 
eighty-five years. His wife died in 1888, aged ninety years. 

Abraham Ever and wife repose in the cemetery a few hundred 
yards from the old home, still standing as a monument of the 
days of power. The tombstones are mossy with age. The inscrip- 
tions are German, and translated read, '^In 7nemory of Abraham 
Eyer. Was born l6th of May y 1748, and died jd October, 18 2j. *' 
^'Catharine Eyer was born 15th October, 1752, and was mar- 
ried to Abraham Ever in the month of May, 1770. Died the 
2 2d September, 1 805 , aged fifty-three years, less twenty-four days. " 

As we stand by the silent grave of this illustrious father and 
recall the history of his family, in all its connections with the 
church, we feel that we speak within the bounds of propriety, 
when we say that no other layman of the early church (with 
perhaps one exception) has made his influence felt more potently 
in our Evangelical Zion than Abraham Eyer, including his sons- 
in-law. Revs. Dreisbach, Niebel and Shellenberger. The 
number of preachers and preacher's wives who represent his 
family in the itinerant ranks number upwards of thirty. 

His old home on the river was an important point in the early 
history of the church. In June, i8t 6, the ninth annual conference 



74 EVANGELICAL A830CIA TION ANNALS. 

was held here. His two sons-in-law were now the leaders of 
the church. John Dreisbach was president and Henry Niebel 
secretary of the conference, and both of them presiding elders. 
The whole church at this time consisted of twelve fields of labor, 
divided into two districts. 

As our work at this point was exclusively German, the follow- 
ing incident may serve to illustrate the effect of a powerful sermon 
— even though imperfectly understood. In the vicinity of Eyer's 
lived an Irishman by the name of *' Billy" Gibbons. One day 
in 1807, in going to the mill, he was obliged to pass Eyer's 
house at preaching time. The preacher spoke with the force and 
earnestness characteristic of our early preachers. This made an 
impression on *^ Billy." Stopping a moment, he listened. He 
knew enough of German to understand that he said, *'One must 
know that his sins are forgiven." This was God's message of 
salvation to him. He was deeply convicted of sin, and after a 
long penitential struggle was gloriously saved, and was thereafter 
known as ** Happy Billy." He was indeed a happy Christian, 
and became a pillar in the church. His wife was also converted 
at the same time. He died in 1850, aged eighty years. 

The members here were connected with the Dry Valley Class, 
which originally embraced all the members in the valley from 
the river to New Berlin. 

The Phillips Family. In 1811 George Phillips and his 
son Conrad, from Northampton county, who were among the 
first fruits of Albright's labors, removed to a farm adjoining 
the Ever place. Their house became a regular preaching place, 
and about this time a separate class was formed. In 1827 John 
Young was converted here. He was soon thereafter licensed to 
preach, and in 1831 entered the active ministry and rendered 
sixteen years of service. He died in peace near Williamsport, 
Pa., in 1873, aged seventy-six years. His wife Elizabeth pre- 
ceded him about one week. They gave as a precious legacy to 
the church five sons, who entered the ministry of the Central Pa. 
Conference, viz.: John, Jacob, Reuben, Noah and William, 
the latter a local preacher. 

Buffalo Valley— The Dreisbach Family. Among the 
first settlers of Buffalo Valley, Northumberland (now Union) 
county, Pa., was Martin Dreisbach, Sr.,who came from Germany 



IHE EARLY DAYS. 7S 

and landed at Philadelphia Oct 4, 1751.* After residing in 
Lancaster and Berks counties he purchased a tract of land in 
Buffalo Valley, to which he removed in 1773. There he died in 
1799, aged eighty-two years. His wife Anna died ten years 
previous, aged sixty-five years. He had four sons, Jacob, Henry, 
John and Martin, and two daughters, Margaret and Catha- 
rine, married to Henry Aurand and Peter Fisher, respectively. 

In 1788 Martin Dreisbach, Sr., donated several acres of 
land for the use of the first German church in the valley, which 
was a log structure, built jointly by the Lutheran and Reformed 
people. This church was replaced by a brick edifice in 1839. 

The Dreisbachs, in common with the early settlers of the 
valley, suffered much from the incursions of the Indians, and 
several of their neighbors were cruelly massacred by them. On 
July 14, 1780, Baltzer Kleinsmith, who lived about one mile 
south of Dreisbach's, was murdered by the savages in a field 
in which he was working. This was near the house of Father 
George Books, Sr., whose daughter Sabina assisted in carrying 
the dead man to his home.f A few years later this young woman 
was married to Martin Dreisbach, and became the mother of 
Rev. John Dreisbach. Her father, George Books, emigrated 
from Germany in 1736. J 

The family of Martin Dreisbach, Jr., and his wife Sabina 
were the following : Rev. John Dreisbach, who became a co- 
laborer with Albright ; Anna, married to Rev. Andrew Wolf, 
who was also one of the first members ; Susan, married to John 
Buchwalter; Leah, married to John S. Dunkel, and Eliza- 
beth, married to David Dunkel, and Martin Dreisbach, late 
associate judge of Union county. 

Religious Awakening. The first religious awakening in 
Buffalo Valley began about 1792, under the preaching of Rev. 
John G. Phreemer, who was a co-worker with Boehm, Chris- 
tian Newcommer and others, in the religious movement which 
led to the establishment of the United Brethren Church. He 
frequently preached at Dreisbach's church, and his labor was 
not in vain. The spiritual condition of Buffalo Valley at this 

* Ship Queen of Denmark. George Parish, captain. Shipped from Rot- 
terdam. 

f Linn's Annals of Buffalo Valley, page 189. 
J RUPP'S History, page 47. 



76 EYANOELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNAL8. 

time was truly deplorable, as the following extract from **Har- 
baugh^s Fathers of the Reformed Church " will show : 

<'The Buffalo church, now called Dreisbach's, had for some 
time been in a distracted condition, having the irregular attention 
of the irregular Phreemer, but was for the most part closed 
entirely. The young men were growing up without adequate 
spiritual instruction, and the old members having passed through 
scenes of strife, had grown to a great degree indifferent. " 

In 1795 Christian Newcommer* and George Adam Guet- 
ING visited the valley and strengthened the work of Phreemer. 
Many of the best families opened their houses as preaching places 
for the '*new preachers," as they were called. Among those 
who received them was Martin Dreisbach, Jr. On Oct. 18, 
1800, the first quarterly or big meeting was held at Dreisbach's, 
attended by Newcommer, Phreemer, Snyder and Gueting. 
It would seem that from that time Martin Dreisbach actively 
identified himself with the Evangelical movement, but like many 
others retained his connection, with the Reformed Church. He 
formed a strong attachment for that eminent man of God, Chris- 
tian Newcommer, as the numerous entries in the journal of the 
latter plainly indicate. His house, however, was open to all who 
preached the gospel in its purity, among whom was the founder 
of the Evangelical Association, Jacob Albright. 

Albright's Visit— Great Revival. The time when Al- 
bright first visited Dreisbach cannot now be ascertained, but 
was some time prior to 1804. Notwithstanding the labors of the 
brethren mentioned, there was no class organization of the people 
professing conversion, as many considered it very wrong to leave 
the fold of the old church in which they had made their confir- 
mation vows. Neither had a revival, such' as in olden times was 
called a ** Durchbruch," taken place. 

When Rev. George Miller was appointed to the new circuit 
in June, 1806, a revival began which, in one year, resulted in 
almost doubling the membership of the Association, and in the 
organization of six classes. This glorious result was the fruit of 
the faith and extraordinary zeal of this man of God. He says 
in his autobiography: *'I resolved therefore to commence the 
work with fasting and prayer, relying on the help of God, and to 
preach the truth unfeignedly, even if no man should be pleased 

* Later a bishop in the United Brethren Church. 



THE EABL T DA TS. 77 

with my preaching, if only God be satisfied with it. Hence I 
often wept during my journeyings from one preaching place to 
another, that I might be acceptable to God and useful to my 
fellow beings." In this spirit the preacher prosecuted his minis- 
try, and the Lord wonderfully blessed his labors. 

On Oct. 25, 1806, a general meeting was held at Dreisbach's, 
which was attended by great numbers. Of this meeting Miller 
says : "1 expecited that the penitent and newly-converted souls 
on the circuit, of whom I had united about forty into classes, 
would meet there; therefore I prayed much on their account 
unto the Lord, and that He would be pleased to bring the breth- 
ren Albright and Walter, clothed with power from on high, to 
the meetings. The appointed day came and my wishes were 
realized, for both preachers and members, together with a large 
number of penitents, were present. My feelings on that occasion 
<:annot be described, for I was sad and joyful at the same time, 
and experienced in my own soul the powerful words of our 
Saviour, * Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be com- 
forted. ' While humbled before God, praying that sinners might 
be converted, the happiest feelings of consolation and divine 
favor filled my heart. I had to preach the opening sermon, and 
during its delivery the power of God came in such torrents upon 
the congregation that many fell upon their knees and prayed with 
tears to the Lord for the pardon of their sins. Albright and 
Walter preached so powerfully and pointedly that the congre- 
gation was visited with showers of divine grace, and in every 
room the cries of penitent sinners were heard, and many souls 
were converted. The voice of praise and thanksgiving unto the 
Lord could also be heard everywhere in the house, and there 
was great joy in the Lord among the brethren." 

The fire of the Lord thus kindled in the hearts of his people 
at Dreisbach's was carried to all parts of the charge, revivals 
followed everywhere and class organizations were effected. Mar- 
tin Dreisbach became the leader of th^ Buffalo Valley Class. 

Dreisbach Class. Father Dreisbach's entire family, with 
the exception of the youngest, who was small, were converted 
and became members of the society, with his aged mother-in-law, 
Christina Books, widow of the emigrant George Books, Sr., 
and Martin Dreisbach, Jr. (son of Jacob), and his wife. About 
1810 Martin Dreisbach removed to Ohio, and was one of our 
iirst members there. Other important preaching places in this 



78 E VANGELIGAL A8S0GIA TION ANNALS. 

neighborhood were as follows : John Aurand and wife Catha^ 
RiNE. Their house, about one and a half miles east of Dreis- 
bach's, was a preaching place as early as 1802. Bro. A. died in 
1809. His son John was also one of the first members, and later 
his son Abraham also became a member. This place was noted 
for camp-meetings. Philip Hoy, one of the first settlers of 
Buffalo Valley, who died at an early day, lived several miles west 
of Dreisbach^s. His house was one of the first preaching places, 
as was also that of George Wormley, near Dreisbach*s, and 
Bro. W. and wife were among our first members. In later years 
they removed to Seneca county, N. Y. George Wolf's house, 
a few miles southeast of Dreisbach's, was also a preaching place, 
and his sons Christian and Leonard, with their wives, and 
Andrew, and Catharine, the wife of his son Michael, became 
members in 1806. (See Lewisburg. ) Besides the foregoing, 
Henry Herpst and his wife Catharine and George Riehm and 



Biographical Notes on the Dreisbach Family. — Martin Dreis- 
bach was one of the main supporters of Jacob Albright and his work. He 
was known throughout the entire connection as a devoted father in IsraeL He 
was entrusted with the conference subsidiary funds and bequests, which office 
he resigned in 1829 because of failing health. In his house the annual confer- 
ences of 1812, 1813 and 1814 were held, as was also the first General Conference 
ini8i6, at which conference our connection received its name, "The Evangelical 
Association." Father Dreisbach was born in Berks county, near Reading, 
Pa., in 1764, and died in 183 1. His wife Sabina Fredrica was born in 1762 
and died in 1847, at Amanda, Fairfield county, Ohio, whither she had gone 
to spend her last days with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Dunkel. Their 
oldest son, Rev. John Dreisbach, was born in 1789, and died at Circleville, 
Ohio, in 1 871, aged eighty-two years. Anna (Wolf) died near Lewisburg, 
Pa., in 1 87 1, aged seventy-nine years. SusAN (Buchwalter) died in Ross 
county, Ohio, in 1881, aged eighty-seven years. Leah (Mrs. J. S. Dunkel) 
died in 1884, aged eighty-eight years. Elizabeth (Mrs. David Dunkel) died 
in 1883, aged eighty-four years. Hon. Martin Dreisbach died in Lewisburg, 
Pa., in 1880, aged seventy-nine years. 

John S. Dunkel, son-in-law of Martin Dreisbach, deserves mention in 
this connection. He was a man of means and business abilities, and favorably 
known far and near. His house, which was near that of his father-in-law, 
became Evangelical headquarters for the valley after the death of the latter. 
His large barn was a favorite place for holding general meetings, and in his 
house was organized, on March i, 1839, the General Missionary Society of the 
Evangelical Association. Bro. Dunkel was its first treasurer, and retained the 
office many years. He died in 1864, aged sixty-seven years. Three daughters, 
Susan, Sophia and Mary, w^re united in marriage with Evangelical ministers 
Charles Hammer, J. G. Miller and Benjamin Hkngst, respectively. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 79 

wife were of the first members. The persons named, who consti- 
tuted the Dreisbach Class as organized in 1806, were with few 
exceptions in good circumstances and highly respectable citizens. 
In course of time it became one of the most important classes in 
the church, but through extensive emigration and deaths it was 
greatly reduced in later years. 

Lewisburg, in the early days known as Derrstown, is situated 
at the eastern extremity of Buffalo Valley, on the West Branch 
of the Susquehanna River. Our first preachers did not gain 
entrance there until 1806. Christian Wolf became acquainted 

Biographical Notes on the Wolf Family. — About 1796 George Wofl, 
Sr., emigrated from Tulpehocken, Berks county, Pa., to Buffalo Valley, and 
settled about three miles southwest of Lewisburg. He was a pious man, then 
well advanced in life, and most of his children were heads of families. He had 
sons. Christian, Michael, Leonard, Peter, John, Jacob* and Andrew, 
besides several daughters. He died in 1823 at the age of ninety years. There 
is some uncertainty as to the extent to which he identified himself with the work 
of Jacob Albright. It is, however, certain that his house was a preaching 
place in the early days. A grandson, the late Jonathan Wolf, who died at 
an advanced age, informed the author that in his youth he often attended the 
"Albright " meetings at his grandfather's house. A number of his children 
were among the first members of our society in the valley, several of whom we 
will notice in this connection : Rev. Christian Wolf lived in Lewisburg, and 
through him principally the work was established there. In 1807 he, with 
others, removed to Seneca county, N. Y., where he was instrumental in the 
organization of the first society of the church outside of Pennsylvania. He was 
early licensed to preach, and was ordained deacon in 1821. In 1825 he served 
as an itinerant. He died near Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1833, aged fifty-four 
years. His companion (Barbara) died in 1838, aged fifty-nine years. Andrew 
Wolf, youngest son of George Wolf, Esq., was married to Anna, a daugh- 
ter of Martin Dreisbach. He was one of the first local preachers. In 1808 
he accompanied his brother-in-law, John Dreisbach, to a general meeting at 
Becker's, on the Muehlbach, Lebanon county. On their return they held a 
meeting at the house of Peter Walter, near Jonestown, where they were 
mobbed and treated shamefully. Bro. Wolf died in 1871, aged eighty-seven 
years. His wife died the same year, aged seventy-nine years. Their son 
Aaron entered the itinerancy in 1842, and after a number of years of successful 
labor in the West Pa. Conference, removed to Illinois. Simon, another son, 
entered the itinerancy in 1846, and rendered twenty-one years of service in the 
(now) Central Pa. Conference. He died in 1890, aged seventy-five years. 
Two daughters, Anna and Leah, were married to Evangelical itinerants, Henry 
Rohland and Benjamin Hess, respectively. Leonard Wolf removed to 
Ohio, and with his family was among the first members in that State, and his 
house was one of the first preaching places in 1816. Michael Wolf never 
became a member, but his wife was converted under Albright and colleagues 
and became a member, and their house was opened to the preachers. 

* Grandfather of the late Hon. Chas. S. Wolf. 



W EVANOELIGAL A8S0GIA TION ANJSTALS, 

with Albright and co-laborers at the house of his brother-in- 
law, Martin Dreisbach. When George Miller was sent by 
Albright, in iSo6, to serve the new circuit, he was received by 
Wolf and others. A revival took place here in the Autumn of 
1806, and a class was formed comprised of the following : Chris- 
tian Wolf and his wife Barbara,* who was a sister of Mrs. 
Martin Dreisbach. Bro. Wolf was a hatter, and his place of 
business and house stood on the northwest corner of Market 
and Second streets. He was the first class leader. Matthias 
Shaeffer and his wife Polly. Bro. S, was a carpenter, and a 
man of great respectability. His house was also a preaching 
place, and after Bro. Wolf's removal to New York, in 1807, he 
became the class leader, which office he held for many years. 
Elizabeth Grove (Groff) survived to a great age, and often 
related how she and other members of the class accompanied 
their class leader, Bro. Wolf, to New Berlin to assist in the 
meetings there in the Winter of 1806. These journeys of about 
twenty miles were made on foot across the mountain at night. 
They generally returned the same night. Michael Smith was 
then advanced in years, and it cannot now be definitely ascer- 
tained whether he was a member, but the probabilities are that 
he was, as his family are known to have been converted at Wolf's, 
and our preachers were welcomed by him. Of his children we 
mention the following : Catharine, married to Michael WoLF,f 
who was a brother of Christian, the class leader. He lived 
near the Turtle Creek, on the road leading across the mountain 
to Dry Valley. He never became a member, but was in hearty 
sympathy with our work. His wife was one of the most devoted 
members the church has ever had. Their house was a preaching 
place in Albright's time. Another daughter of Father Smith 
was Susan Cochrane. She was converted in 1806 and died in 
1882, aged ninety-one years, probably the last survivor of the 
converts of Albright and co-laborers in the now Central Pa. 
Conference. When a young woman she became the wife of John 
Cochrane. Their home, a few miles south of Lewisburg, became 
a preaching place in 18 17, and remained a regular appointment 
for nearly half a century. Elizabeth and Henry, younger 
children of Father Smith, became members a little later. John 

* See previous note, 
j- See previous note. 



THE EARL T DA TS. 81 

AURAND and his wife Hannah, who lived near Lewisburg, also 
became members in 1806, and their house a preaching place. 
Other original members were Jacob Zentmeyer and his wife 
Eve, Peggy Metzger, Martha Christ, Samuel Ream and his 
wife Sarah, Daniel Ream and wife, Father Henry Bellman 
and wife, and son Jacob, and daughter-in-law Mary ; also Rev. 
J. G. Conser and his wife, who was a daughter of Father Bell- 
man. Peter Brouse and wife Christena, who were converted 
at the house of Father Ever, in Dry Valley, in 1806, also opened 
their house as a preaching place. They lived south of Lewisburg. 
Bro. Brouse died in 1849, at Liverpool, Pa., aged seventy-seven 
years. His wife, who was remarkable for her deep piety and 
zeal, died in 1866, aged eighty-eight years. 

Mifflitibttrg— The Orwlgs and Brickleys. The town 
of Mifflinburg is situated in Buffalo Valley, ten miles west of 
Lewisburg, and five miles from Dreisbach's. Albright and 
co-laborers preached there f reqifently in the old Lutheran church, 
and some conversions took place, but no organization was effected. * 
The late John Rank, Esq., often related that in 1805 he and 
several other young men went from White Deer to hear Albright 

Biographical Notes. — John Brickley, Sr., and wife Magdalen a, from 
Schuylkill county, settled near Mifflinburg in the early part of the century, united 
with the Evangelical Association in 1826, and became prominent members. He 
died in 1838, aged seventy-one years. He gave three sons to the ministry of 
the church, as follows : George Brickley, born in Schuylkill county, Pa. ; 
entered the active ministry of the Eastern Conference in 1828 ; was elected pre- 
siding elder in 1839 ; located in 1846 ; died in York, Pa., March 17, 1889, aged 
eighty-one years. Daniel Brickley, born in Schuylkill county, Pa., in 18 10 ; 
entered the Eastern Conference in 183 1; was chosen presiding elder of Ohio 
District in 1836 ; traveled a number of years in Ohio ; died in Morrow county, 
Ohio, in 1884, aged seventy-four years. John Brickley, bom in Schuylkill 
county, Pa., in 1795 ; entered the Eastern Conference in 1835 5 ^i^d in Indiana 
county, Pa., in 1872. 

The Orwig family, Gottfried Orwig and his wife Gloria emigrated from 
Germany in 1 741, and settled north of the Blue Mountain in (now) Schuylkill 
county, Pa., where the town of Orwigsburg, formerly the county-seat, was named 
in his honor. One of his sons was George, Sr., who opened his house as a 
preaching place for Jacob Albright. (See Orwigsburg.) George Orwig 
had two sons, George, Jr., and Abraham, who in i8n removed to Buffalo 
Valley, Union county, a few miles north-west of Mifflinburg. George Orwig, 
Jr., soon after his conversion in 1826 removed to the Sandusky country, Ohio, 
where his house was one of the early preaching places. He died in 1852, aged 
seventy-one years. Abraham Orwig (father of Rev. W. W. Orwig), died 
in Buffalo Valley, Union county. Pa., in 1852, aged sixty-five years. 



82 EVANQELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

preach there. Walter and Miller, his colleagues, were also 
present. Albright preached with wonderful power, so that a 
great commotion was caused, and many fell on their knees and 
cried aloud for mercy. Brother Rank's companions became 
terror-stricken, and pulling him by the coat said, '^Come, let us 
get out of this, the preacher is mad. See, he is foaming at the 
mouth. " 

A short distance west of Mifflinburg lived John Buechler, 
whose house was a preaching place at an early day. A very suc- 
cessful camp-meeting was held on his land in 1 8 14. In 1826 a 
great awakening took place in this locality, and a number of 
prominent families were brought into the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, among them the Brickleys and Orwigs. This revival 
came to pass in the following manner : In 1825 the wife of Abra- 
ham Orwig, accompanied by her son (the late Bishop W. W. 
Orwig), journeyed to their former home in Orwigsburg, Pa., to 
visit her relatives. The great revival so notable in the history of 
the Evangelical Association was still in progress there, and both 
mother and son were deeply convicted of sin, but did not then 
yield to the influences brought to bear upon them. The follow- 
ing year, however, the son was happily converted and his bright 
experience and godly life soon made itself felt in the home circle, 
and was the real beginning of the revival which followed. 

White Deer. White Deer Valley is separated from Buffalo 
Valley by a mountain known as White Deer. Most of this region 
is embraced in a township of that name. This place was fre- 
quently visited by Albright and his colleagues. The principal 
preaching place was at Jacob Hoch's. 

South of the mountain, on the west branch of the Susque- 
hanna, is the village of New Columbia. Here our first preachers 
also found entrance, but it is impossible to ascertain with cer- 
tainty who received them. This was the home of father John 
Rank, Sr., who in 1796 removed hither from Lancaster county 
with his family. His house became a preaching place for all 
godly ministers soon after his arrival. In Bishop Christian 
Newcommer's journal are several entries of services held at 
Rank's in the beginning of the century. That Albright was 
also welcomed seems probable, from the fact that they were well 
acquainted with each other in Lancaster county. His son John 
often related a pleasing incident connected with a business trans- 
action between his father and Albright, before the conversion 



THE EARL T DA YS. 83 

of the latter. A class was formed at New Columbia soon after 
Albright's death, among whom were the Ranks, Stahls, Yosts 
and RoTHROCKS. In later years Jacob Rothrock removed 
to Williamsport, and was the first member of the church there. 
Henry Rothrock removed to Seneca county, N. Y., and was an 
early member of our society at that place. 

John Ratlky Esq. It remains for us to honor the memory 
of one whose name is **as an ointment poured forth," and who 
in the early days was one of the pillars in the Church. This was 
John Rank, Jr., Esq., already referred to. He was born in 
Lancaster county in 1783, and removed with his parents to New 
Columbia, in Union county. He frequently heard Albright 
preach,* but was not converted until some years afterwards, when 
be attended a watch-night meeting at Martin Dreisbach^s. He 
at once took a high position in the church as a man of probity 
and good judgment. His home, which was a short distance west 
of New Columbia, became Evangelical headquarters for this 
region. The Church soon recognized his business abilities. In 
1832, when the Charitable Society was organized, he was made 
the first treasurer. At the same conference he was also elected 
to the office of Publisher and Book Agent for the Church, and 
for many years thereafter was connected with the publishing in- 
terests of the Church. When the General Conference of 1836 
reorganized the publishing interests and elected a board of trus- 
tees to purchase, or erect, a suitable building for our publishing 
business, Brother Rank and Revs. W. W. Orwig and P. Wagoner 
were elected to the position, and by them the purchase of the 
building was consummated. 

Brother Rank was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and 
so justly did he administer the law, that but few of his decisions 
were appealed to a higher court. He was prudent and method- 
ical in all his business matters, and generally prospered in all his 
ventures, for the reason that he undertook nothing without mak- 
ing it a subject of prayer. 

His house was for many years a preaching place, and in his 
woods camp-meetings were held many years in succession. His 
liberality was proverbial. He often said he was God's steward, 
and hence must be systematic in his benevolence. 

It is worthy of record that thirty-three junior preachers had 
their homes with him in the same number of successive years. 

* See Mifflinburg incident. 



84 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

As one would depart at the close of the conference year, and an- 
other come, he was told to make himself at home like one of the 
family. Horse feed, a furnished room, with board and washing, 
all as free as air. If the preachers were poor, the good man 
purchased clothing for them ; when cast down, discouraged, and 
tempted to leave the ministry, his fatherly counsels gave them 
new courage. After a long and singularly useful life, the Lord 
called his servant home to his rich reward, Oct. 14, 1878, at the 
advanced age of ninety-four years, ten months and twelve days. 
He retained his faculties to the last moment of life, and died 
triumphantly, crying out as he crossed the Jordan of death, 
''Gelobet set Gott ! Gelobet set Gott !'' (Praise the Lord ! Praise 
the Lord!) 

Woodward, Centre County. At the extreme eastern end 
of Penns Valley, where the road from Buffalo Valley emerges 
from the long narrows of the mountains, is situated the village of 
Woodward. In this neighborhood Albright and his co-laborers 
found a fruitful field, notwithstanding the bitter opposition against 
their work. The first one to receive Albright here was Father 
John Wise and his wife Eve. This must have been soon after 
the beginning of the century, and certainly prior to 1805. His 
house was a very important point, and many conversions took 
place there in 1806. George Wise, a brother of John, and his 
wife Susan were converted in i8o6, and their house became a 
regular preaching place from that time. In later years their son 
George opened his house for regular services. The house of 
Bro. Jacob Merk and his brother Rudolph became preaching 
places about 1805. John Adam Hennig and family in part were 
converted in the great revival of 1806, probably at the house 
of John Wise. His house also became a preaching place in 
Albright's time, and was one of the most noted places of the 

Biographical Notes.: — ^John Adam Hennig, born in Lebanon county, 
Pa., in 1757, was the son of John Jacob and Anna Hennig. His family 
was large and highly respectable, and all became members of the church. Two 
daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara, were married to ministers, Jacob Fry 
and John Stull, respectively. His son Adam entered the ministry in 1813, 
and was one of the first missionaries west of the AUeghenies (18 13) and Ohio 
(1816). His sons Philip and Peter were converted in youth and later emi- 
grated to Ohio, where their homes were among the first preaching places on 
Canton Circuit. Father IJennig died in 1839, aged eighty-two years. Father 
John Wise died in 1844, aged seventy-nine years, and his wife Eve in 1855, 
aged eighty-three years. Jacob Merk died in 1837, aged seventy-two years. 



THE EARL Y DA YS. 85 

church for many years, especially for general and camp-meetings. 
The camp-meeting on his place in 1827 was especially victorious. 
Scores of souls were converted, some of whom became minis- 
ters and prominent members. The fourth General Conference, 
which was one of the most important sessions, was held at his 
house in 1830. 

Millheim is situated about seven miles west of Woodward, 
in the very heart of Penns Valley. In and around this town 
Albright and his colleagues found some open doors. The first 
in the town to receive him was Paul Bachman, in 1805. George 
SwARTZ, who lived about half a mile south of the town, also 
received him and opened his house as a regular preaching place 
in 1805. A little farther south lived Henry Smith and wife 
Mary, and Peter Smith and wife Maria. Henry Smith's house 
was opened as a preaching place for Albright as early as 1804. 
Peter was converted in 1806, and thereafter their house was a 
regular appointment. The great revival of 1806 also extended 
to this place, and many conversions occurred at the houses of 
George Swartz and Henry Smith. Prominent among the con- 
verts were two young brothers Matthias and John Betz, the 
former of whom became a minister, while the latter removed to 
Seneca county, Ohio, and was one of the first to receive our min- 
isters there. 

The first class in Penns Valley was organized by George 
Miller in the Fall of 1806, and included all the members in the 
valley, some of whom, as we have noticed, lived a considerable 
distance from Millheim. During the second great revival on the 
Northumberland Circuit, which occurred in 18 ii, there were 
many conversions, and separate classes were formed at Woodward 
(seven miles east), at Mussers and at Potters Plains. The class 
at Mussers became quite strong, and a church was built there, 
about four miles from Millheim, which was the first in Penns 
Valley. In that church was held, in 1839, the General Confer- 
ence at which John Seybert was elected the first bishop of the 
church. 

Green Grove. Several miles west of Millheim, at Green 
Grove, lived Michael Ream, who was one of the first in Penns 
Valley to open his house to Albright. In 1806 his brother-in- 
law, David Merk, and also Henry Smith opened their houses. 
At a later period a flourishing society was formed there. Father 
Ream died in 18 13. Many of his descendants became prominent 



86 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

and useful members of the church. His son, Rev. Abraham 
Ream, in the early part of the century removed to Ohio, where 
he was largely instrumental in establishing the work. Another 
descendant, Rev. A. E. Gobble, D.D., has for many years stood 
in the front rank as an able preacher and the honored president 
of Central Pennsylvania College. 

Potters Plains. The work of our Church was not estab- 
lished in the upper end of Penns Valley in Albright's time, as 
it cannot be ascertained that he and his colleagues had any 
appointment farther west than Spring Mills. In 1811 John Erb 
and L. Zimmerman extended the work westward to Spring Creek 
and the broad plain where the State College is now situated. 
There were many conversions in this vicinity, and a good class 
was organized, called the Spring Creek Class. Ten or more 
congregations are the direct results of the work in this section. 
The men who received our preachers and opened their houses as 
regular preaching places were Conrad Dillman, John Dauber- 
man and later John George Rishel, all of whom became known 
throughout the entire Church, and deserve more than mere 
mention. 

John Dauberman, Sr., lived a few miles east of Old Fort, 
near Egg Hill. Here he built with his own means a church for 
the use of the society, which was dedicated Oct. 22, 1837. He 
died in 1853, in his eighty-second year. His son, John, Jr., 
who was also one of the first members, worthily represented his 
heroic father until his death. 

Conrad Dillman removed to Ohio, where he was among the 
first to receive our first preachers in 18 16, in which connection 
a further notice of him will be found. 

John George Rishel lived nearly four 'miles southwest of 
Old Fort, near Spring Creek. He was converted in 1806, but 
did not unite with the society until 1826. He was an influential 
and prominent man, and did much for the establishment of the 
Church. He died in 1852, in his seventy-first year. Three of his 
daughters were married to Evangelical ministers of prominence : 
Susan, to Bishop AV. W. Orwig ; Sarah, to John Kreamer, and 
Rachel, to Daniel Kehr. His son David entered the minis- 
try of the West Pa. Conference in 1842, and was a young man 
of bright promise. In 1847 he was sent as missionary to Pitts- 
burg, where his usefulness was suddenly cut short by death in the 
Autumn of the same year, in the thirtieth year of his age. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 87 

Brush Valley. North of Penns Valley is situated a long, 
narrow valley called Brush Valley, one of the early settlers of 
which was Christopher Spangler, who came here from one of 
the lower countries in 1803. He was a man of means, and erected 
in 1805 a large stone mansion, which is to-day one of the land- 
marks of the Church. At the house of father Bachman, in Penns 
Valley, Brother S. first heard Albright preach, and invited him 
to preach also in his house in Brush Valley. To this invitation 
Albright responded in the Autumn of 1805, and from that time 
Brother Spangler became one of his chief supporters and his 
house a regular preaching place. 

During the great revival, under the labors of George Miller, 
in 1806, many conversions took place here, and a class was 
formed, of which Brother Spangler was made leader. In the 
Fall of 1807 he and the youthful John Dreisbach journeyed to- 
gether to attend the first annual conference of the Association, 
at which time Brother S. was also made a local preacher. He 
never entered the active ranks, but frequently accompanied the 
first preachers, and preached a great deal. His name through- 
out the Church was **as ointment poured forth." When past 
eighty years of age he preached a remarkable sermon from the 
text, *'As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death 
of the wicked." (Ezek. xxxiii. 11.) He died in great peace in 
1855, aged eighty-eight years. His companion, died in 1832, 
aged sixty-one years. They rest in the union cemetery at Rebers- 
burg. Their sons Jacob, Samuel and Jonathan were of the first 
converts in the valley and became strong pillars in the Church. 
A daughter, Anna Mary, also converted in 1806, married Con- 
rad Hare. They removed to Wyandotte county, Ohio, where 
they opened their house as one of the first preaching places. 
Brother H. was a local preacher and a very useful man. 

Abraham Reber and wife were converted at Spangler's in 
1806, after which they opened their house as a preaching place. 
Rev. J. G. Conser, one of the first members at Lewisburg, re- 
moved to Rebersburg, and in 1823 opened his house as a preach- 
ing place. A little later the brothers George, Joseph and Jacob 
Gramly, who were of the leading citizens of the valley, became 
members, as did also the Becks, Leidlers and Myers. A 
church was built in Rebersburg in 1833. The valley became an 
Evangelical stronghold, and the work has continued to flourish to 
this day. 



88 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

North Branch Valley. On the North Branch of the Sus- 
quehanna River, Albright aad his associates found some open 
doors. We have already noted in a previous chapter the emi- 
gration of the sons-in-law of Leonard Zimmerman, of Schuylkill 
county, to this region. As they were the first to open their 
houses to our preachers we will notice them in order: John 
Detrich Seybert and his brother Michael, and John George 
Zehner, married to Maria, Eve, and Catharine Zimmerman, 
respectively, emigrated to the North Branch Valley near the be- 
ginning of the century. The Seyberts settled in Salem township, 
Luzerne county, a few miles above Berwick, and Zehner settled 
a few miles south, in Briar Creek township, Columbia county. 

About 1806 two more sons-in-law of Zehner removed to this 
region. They were Jacob Bochard and Conrad Biebelheimer, 
who were married to Albertina and Susan Zimmerman, respec- 
tively. Bochard settled about two miles northeast of Danville, 
now in Montour county. Biebelheimer settled near Orange- 
ville, Columbia county, but removed to Ohio at an early day. 

All the foregoing were, so far as is known, converted under 
the ministry of Albright and co-laborers, and, with the exception 
of John D. Seybert, they were members of the church. When 
they removed to the North Branch Valley they were followed by 
their spiritual father and his colleagues, and through them a good 
foundation was laid for the work in the valley. 

The first revival and ingathering of note was at Zehner's, at 
Summer Hill, Columbia county, and at Bochard^s, near Dan- 
ville, in 181 1 and 18 12, at which time classes were formed at 
both places. 

Notes. — Jacob Bochard died in 1824 and his wiffe in i860. Biebel- 
HEIMERS removed to Franklin county, Ohio, where Sister B. died in 1839, 
aged sixty-five years, and her husband soon afterwards. George Zehner and 
his wife died at Briar Creek in 1848, aged respectively eighty-three and eighty 
years. Revs. George E. Zehner and Isaiah Bower, of the Central Pa. 
Conference, are grandsons. Michael Seybert died in 1852, aged eighty-five 
years. His wife Eve died in 1854, aged eighty-four years. They all repose 
in the Summer Hill cemetery. 



CHAPTER IV 



SOWING AND REAPING. 

The Great Revival at Orwigsburg — Spread of the Work 
IN Lehigh County, Philadelphia, Reading, Lebanon, 
Baltimore — The Blockhouse — John Seybert's Mission- 
ary Work — Establishment of the Church in New York 
State and Canada. 

Rillggold. Near Ringgold, in Schuylkill county, lived Dan- 
iel FocHT, who was a man of high respectability, and possessed 
of considerable means ; being proprietor of what was then called 
Brunswick Forge. In 1818, when M. Dehoff and Adam Kline- 
felter served the Schuylkill Circuit, he became interested through 
them in his own salvation, and was soon thereafter converted to 
God. He at once exerted his talents and great influence for the 
cause of Christ, and was soon the instrument in the hands of God 
in the conversion of others who were organized into a class. He 
was a fluent speaker, was greatly respected, and his influence in 
favor of the Evangelical Association was very considerable. In 
182 1 he was licensed to preach, and most faithfully did he serve 
the Church in a local capacity until his death, in 1844, at the age 
of sixty years. 

Orwigsburg. Through Focht the first seed of the Church 
was sown in Orwigsburg, (then the county seat of Schuylkill 
county), which culminated in one of the most extensive and im- 
portant revivals that ever took place in the Evangelical Associa- 
tion. In 1822 he preached a powerful sermon in the Court House, 
which made a profound impression on the audience. The same 
year there was held on his land one of the most remarkable camp- 
meetings in the history of the Church. A great number of people 



90 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

were gathered on the grounds. Most of whom were in a state of 
spiritual darkness, and very much disposed to make mischief. 
This opposition one day took a most serious turn. Some of the 
brethren were assaulted by the ruffians, and suffered bodily in- 
jury at their hands. While John Miller was preaching an attack 
was made upon the preachers and he was struck on the face with 
a sharp stone and very severely injured. 

At this meeting there were, however, many intelligent and 
sensible people who disapproved of the persecution of God's peo- 
ple, and heard with deep concern — and many for the first time 
in their lives — the doctrine of experimental religion. Much pre- 
cious seed was sown, some of which came to early fruitage. The 
camp-meeting thus became an important factor in the promotion 
of the great revival which soon followed. 

Richard Rickert. Soon after this camp-meeting a prom- 
inent man of Orwigsburg, named Richard Rickert, had occasion 
to call on FocHT on business. Mrs. F. informed him that her 
husband was not at home, but would return soon, and added that 
their nwnister, John Breitenstein, was in the house, with whom' 
he could converse until the return of Mr. Focht. Mr. Rickert 
complied with the kind invitation, and was very much pleased 
with Mr. Breitenstein, and invited him to preach at Orwigs- 
burg, to which Mr. B. assented. Mr. Rickert arranged an ap- 
pointment for him in the Court House, and there Mr. B. preached 
a number of times. The enemies of the cause, however, were 
not idle, and soon fomented such an opposition against him, that 
the Court House was closed, and he was compelled to preach in 
the schoolhouse and in private houses. 

Among the men who received Mr. B. and opened their houses 
as preaching places for him were Richard Rickert, who first 
invited him to Orwigsburg, Jos. Zoll, Peter Ashbach, Daniel 
Reifschneider, and a little later, John Hammer. All were men 
of prominence and high respectability. The spirit of awakening 
was powerfully at work throughout the town, and the grain was 
ripe for the harvest. 

John Seybert at Orwigsburg. In June, 1823, John Sey- 
bert was appointed to Schuylkill Circuit. It was indeed a fort- 
unate circumstance that this consecrated aid tireless worker 
became the preacher at Orwigsburg at this time. His blameless 
life was the best commentary on the doctrines which he preached, 
while his extraordinary zeal for souls was a living torch that set 



TEE EARLY DATS. 91 

on fire the hearts of the people with love and devotion to the 
cause of Christ. Although the people generally heard Seybert 
with gladness, and many doors were opened to him, still the work 
of conversion and ingathering did not immediately take place. 
An adverse circumstance, which proved to be a blessing in dis- 
guise, was the means of bringing about the desired result. On 
Sept. 14 Seybert went to fill an appointment at a schoolhouse 
three miles east of Orwigsburg, which his enemies locked against 
him. A poor colored man named Wilson invited him to come 
into his house and preach. Seybert accepted the invitation, and 
was followed to the house by a number who were anxious to hear 
him. On this occasion he preached from the words, *'He came 
unto his own and his own received him not.'* (John i. 11.) A 
profound impression was made, and Wilson and his wife were 
soon afterwards converted to God. The house of this colored 
man played an important part in subsequent events. 

Seybert found entrance at the house of a tavern-keeper named 
Christopher Wagoner in the same vicinity, several of whose 
children were then under conviction. On Nov. 30 Seybert 
preached in the house of Wagoner, from Acts iii. 22, 23. This 
was one of the most remarkable meetings known in the history of 
the Church. The spirit of conviction wrought deeply. A great 
cry arose from penitents who were scattered through the house in 
large numbers. ^^Lost! Lost! I am lost I ^^ could be heard on 
every side. Wagoner and all of his family who were present 
were among the penitents. While the cry of agony went up to 
God a female relative of Wagoner, who had no sympathy for the 
work, went among the weeping penitents and endeavored to dis- 
courage them. Notwithstanding this mighty demonstration of 
the Spirit to convict, it would seem that there were but few con- 
versions at this time. The next day Seybert held a prayer- 
meeting for the benefit of the penitents, but still there was no 
victory. Harbingers of a brighter day were everywhere visible, 
however. The number of those under conviction increased every 
day, and Seybert, having to fill his appointments elsewhere, wrote 
to FocHT to take charge during his absence, who accordingly 
preached the following Sunday at the house of Wilson. The 
meetings in the afternoon and evening were remarkably powerful 
and victorious, and seven souls were saved, which was but the 
beginning of the gracious shower of blessings, the refreshing in- 
fluences of which was felt in every part of the Church. 



92 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Seybert's Testimony. On the fly leaf of a volume of 
'* Thomas A'Kempis," bought from Bishop Seybert by Father 
Richard Rickert, in 1850, occur these lines in the bishop's own 
handwriting : * ^Erster Bekehrungs-Durchbruch nahe bei Orwigs- 
burgh an des Wilson^ s, Dezeinber 7, 1823^ wo sieben Seelen zu Gott 
bekehrt wurden, " — which translated somewhat literally reads :: 
'* First converting breakthrough nearby Orwigsburg, at Wilson's, 
December 7, 1823, when seven souls were converted to God." 
It may here be incidentally remarked that *'Durchbruch/' liter- 
ally a breakthrough^ was a favorite term used in the early days 
to express the victory after penitential struggles. The names of 
the seven souls referred to by Bishop Seybert were the follow- 
ing, as given to me by Father and Mother George and Amelia 
(Hammer) Rickert, of Pottsville, Pa. : Mary Neff ; Hannah 
Wagoner, afterwards married to Rev. Charles Hesser; Re- 
becca Wagoner, afterwards married to Rev. Francis Hoffman ; 
Benjamin Wagoner, Sally Wagoner, Mother Fisher, Polly 
Fisher. The Wagoners mentioned were children of Christopher 
Wagoner. After the victory at Wilson's, conversions became 
frequent. When Seybert preached again in that neighborhood 
— which was at Philip Dreher's — a young man was present 
who had for some time been under conviction. A young lady, 
* Rebecca Wagoner, who had often entreated him before, now 
again urged him to yield his heart to God. He accordingly 
bowed in penitence and was happily converted. This was the now 
sainted Rev. Joseph M. Saylor. Soon afterwards his brother 
Jacob, and also Samuel Rickert, were converted. A little later 
Charles Hesser was converted at Father Wagoner's. All of 
whom became ministers. 

On Jan. 23, 1824, the first class was organized, consisting of 
about twenty-five members. Philip Dreher was made leader 
and B. Neff exhorter. Great opposition to the work prevailed, 
and the leader became utterly discouraged. A reorganization of 
the class was eifected Feb. 19, and Joseph M. Saylor became 
leader. The work now made rapid progress, and people of all 
classes were converted almost daily. 

The Hammer Family Converted. A remarkable episode 
of this revival was the conversion of the Hammer family. The 
circumstances are as follows : John Hammer was a highly re- 

* Afterwards Mrs. Rev. F. Hoffman. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 93 

•spected citizen and merchant of Orwigsburg and an elder in the 
Lutheran Church. He had a large family of sons and daughters, 
all highly respectable save the oldest son John, who was given 
to wayward habits, which caused his parents deep sorrow and 
constant solicitude. The anxious mother could think of no bet- 
ter way to stay his downward course than to bring him under the 
influence of that man of God, John Seybert, There was an ap- 
pointment for him at the house of Rickert one night, and Mother 
Hammer said to the erring son, '^John, how would it be if you 
were to go to the ^Strawveler* meeting to-night? I would much 
rather see you there than with your bad company at the tavern. " 
He followed the suggestion, went to the service, and was deeply 
convicted of his sinful condition. The next Sunday there was a 
prayer-meeting at the house of the colored man Wilson, and here 
young Hammer was converted after a very severe penitential 
struggle.* The change in his life and conduct was at once no- 
ticed at home, but he said nothing about his experiences, because 
his parents were strict members of one of the old churches, al- 
though, like many others, they knew nothing of vital godliness. 
The course he took, however, met with God's approval, as the 
end will show. 

In the rear of Father Hammer's store was a warehouse, and 
the watchful mother noticed that her son frequently repaired 
thither alone and without any apparent reason. She determined 
to solve the mystery, and one day cautiously followed him. To 
her surprise she found him prostrate on the bare floor, pouring 
out his soul to God in prayer. Such a prayer the surprised 
mother had never heard before. The son entreated as though 
his heart would break in behalf of his dear father and mother 
that they might come to the true light and saving grace of God. 
The mother was almost overcome by her feelings, and with diffi- 
culty restrained herself from disturbing with her weeping her once 
wayward son. **Is it possible that our poor John, whom we 
thought as good as lost, should now pray in this manner for us 
who profess to be good?" thus she said in her heart. In deep 
penitence she returned and told the circumstances to her hus- 
band. The outcome of it all was that the whole family — father, 

* J. M. Saylor, who was present at the meeting, says it was a remarkably- 
bright conversion. With tears of joy streaming from his eyes young Hammer 
went through the assembly shaking hands with the people, saying, *'Now I am 
also a brother! " 



94 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TlOJSf ANNALS. 

mother, sons and daughters, eleven in number, were soon there- 
after converted to God and united with the society. The Church 
has never embraced within her fold a more godly and useful fam- 
ily than that of Father Hammer. Three of his daughters were 
married to Evangelical preachers, all of whom became promi- 
nent. Elizabeth was married to Rev. J. P. Leib ; Sarah to 
Rev. Charles Schnerr, and Susan to Rev. Solomon Neitz. 
One son, Charles, became a minister, and one of the pillars of 
the Evangelical Association. 

The Saylor Family Converted. Another incident worthy 
of record is the case of the widow Saylor, whose sons Joseph 
and Jacob have already been referred to. This woman, with a 
large family of children, some of whom were quite young, lived 
with her father, who was bitterly opposed to the work. After 
she and her children were converted, they erected a family altar, 
against which the father demurred. The godly mother, however, 
gathered her loving children around her as aforetime and offered 
her petitions at the throne of grace. The cruel father finally de- 
clared that if they did not cease going to the * ' Strawveler " meet- 
ings and quit their family prayers they would be compelled to 
leave his house. This was a trying ordeal for the poor widow. 
A family council was held and she, with the devoted children, 
decided to remain faithful to their God and the Church. She 
accordingly left the parental roof, accompanied by her little ones, 
and made her home in a little house near the canal, where for 
several years she supported herself by selling refreshments to the 
boatmen who daily passed her door. The Lord was her support 
and she never came to want, but lived to see two of her sons be- 
come useful preachers. She enjoyed the sympathy of the public 
because of the harsh treatment of her father, while her blameless 
life won the esteem of all, and when at last the Lord granted her 
a triumphant death, she was deeply lamented by a very wide circle 
of friends. 

Oppositioil. As may be inferred, the work was most bitterly 
opposed by a certain class of people, and many cases of violence 
occurred. As an example we give the case of a meeting which 
was held by Joseph Saylor at the house of a man named Jona- 
than Wynn. At this meeting there were a number of penitents, 
among them a young woman named Phoebe Huntzinger, who 
was very popular in the society of the town. Her friends and 
admirers determined to rescue her from the influence of the 



THE EARLY DAYS. 95 

<< Albrights," and accordingly a rush was made into the house 
where the meeting was in progress. In the struggle which ensued 
the would-be friends of the young lady, finding it impossible to 
get her out through the door which was blocked up, opened a 
window near her, through which the pleading penitent was drawn 
out of the house. This triumph of the rabble, however, was short 
lived, as the young lady was sincere, and soon thereafter was 
happily converted, and afterwards became the wife of Joseph 
Hammer, a prominent man in the society. 

The revival continued for a number of years. Scores of fam- 
ilies, among them many of the leading people of the place, were 
converted, and good seed was scattered, which brought forth a 
golden harvest. Many instances might be given of families who 
removed from here to Ohio, Illinois, and other States, and there 
became centers of Evangelical influence, through which new con- 
gregations were organized and churches built. Among the fruits 
of this great ingathering were a large number whom the Lord 
called into the gospel ministry. Among them may be mentioned 
the brothers Joseph M. and Jacob Saylor, John P. Leib, Fran- 
cis Hoffman, Daniel Berger, Charles Hesser, Charles 
Hammer and Bishop W. W. Orwig (indirectly) of the active 
ministry, besides many who served in a local capacity. 

Evangelical Cliurcli and Cemetery. Soon after the 
establishment of the work at Orwigsburg, Benjamin Wagoner, a 
son of Christopher Wagoner, died. He was a devoted and 
zealous young man, and because he became an Evangelical, his 

Biographical Notes. — i. John Hammer died in 1839, aged sixty-six 
years. He was for many years a local preacher. His wife Elizabeth died in 
1837, aged sixty years. 

2. Christopher Wagoner died in 1843, aged seventy-fxve years. He was 
a strong pillar in the Church. His daughters Rebecca and Hannah were mar- 
ried to Rev. Francis Hoffman and Rev. Charles Hesser, respectively. His 
daughter Elizabeth was married to Abr.\ham Orwig ; they were the parents 
of Bishop W. W. Orwig. 

3. Richard Rickert, (wife Christina) who first invited the Evangelical 
preachers to Orwigsburg, died in 1857, aged eighty-three years. They were the 
parents of Rev. Samuel Rickert, and Dinah, wife of Rev. Joseph M. Saylor. 

4. Joseph Zoll died in 1877, aged eighty-eight years. He was a tanner by 
occupation, and had in his employ his nephew, Francis Hoffman, who was 
also converted and entered the active ministry in 1826. 

5. Daniel Riefsnyder removed to Stark county, Ohio, where he was for 
many years a class-leader, and his house a preaching place. He died in 1872, 
aged seventy-two years. 



96 EVANGELICAL A8S0G1A TION ANNALS. 

burial in the graveyard of the Church of which he had been a 
former member was forbidden. In great sorrow Father Wag- 
oner came to Orwigsburg to consult with Father Hammer. After 
explaining the circumstances to Hammer, the latter said, <*Come 
with me," and together they went to look at some vacant lots 
owned by Hammer. A suitable selection was made for a bury- 
ing ground, which Father Hammer donated to the society, and 
here the body of young Wagoner was laid to rest. The society 
then erected a church edifice on the ground in 1826, which was 
the third church of the Association. The following year the con- 
ference was held in it, and many times thereafter. In 1823 the 
first camp-meeting in this section was held on the land of Chris- 
topher Wagoner, and thereafter for several years. 

The Work in Lehigh County. Soon after Albright's 
entry into the ministry he attended the funeral of a child in Upper 
Hanover township, Montgomery county. The parents of the 
child, and also the minister and most of the attendants, were 
Schwenkfelders. At the conclusion of the services Albright 
asked permission to preach in the church, which was granted. 
Several appointments were filled, and light was beginning to 
dawn, when a great storm of opposition was raised, and the 
churches were closed against him in consequence. A Schwenk- 
felder named David Shultz, who lived near the mountain, then 
opened his house as a preaching place for him. This was near 
the Lehigh county line. Although the work was not permanently 
established at this time, yet the good seed was sown, which in 
course of time bore a rich fruitage. The direct results were the 
establishment of the work in Lehigh county, first in Upper Mil- 
ford, from thence to Cedar Creek, AUentown, Emaus, and other 
places. 

In Upper Milford, in the very midst of the Schwenkfelder 
community, lived a good, upright man named John HiTTEL,who 
received the Evangelical preachers as early as 1825. Althotgh 
he was in sympathy with the society, no public service was 
attempted at his house for some years. At the house of Hittel 
a number of people became acquainted with the Evangelical 
preachers, among whom were David and Christophel Shubert 
and Melchior Yeakel, who were prominent Schwenkfelders. 
Yeakel had already been enlightened, in a great measure, by the 
preaching of Albright at the house of Shultz and elsewhere. 
Public services were held at Hittel's in 1828, without any 



THE EARL Y DA FS. 97 

notable results, until Sept. 13, 1829. W. W. Orwig and Charles 
Hammer held a service on the barn floor of David Shubert, 
which was richly blessed and may be considered the real begin- 
ning of the great work which followed. Many prominent Schwenk- 
felders became identified with the work of the Lord, and in a few 
years this section became an Evangelical stronghold. John 
HiTTEL, in 1828, having removed to a place near Macungie, an 
appointment was also established at his house. Mention should 
also be made of Peter Wiest, Daniel Wieand and George 
Yeakel, who lived near Shubert's, and who also received the 
Evangelical preachers and opened their houses for services. 
Among the accessions to the Church was Rev. Andrew Yeakel, 
a Schwenkfelder preacher, and with him a great number of his 
people. 

Alleutown and Vicinity. The waters of Cedar Creek 
take their rise in a large spring at the head of Cedar Creek 
Valley, in Lehigh county. Pa., and empty into the Lehigh River 
near AUentown. In the early part of the century there lived near 
the head of this stream, a highly respectable man named Henry 
Mertz. He was a man of intelligence and influence, and a 
deacon in the Lutheran Church. He had distinguished himself 
as a member of the State Legislature, but was most commonly 
known as General Mertz, because he held that rank in the State 
military service. 

Near his mansion lived his son David, who was proprietor of 
a woolen mill. Although the General and his family were mem- 
bers of the church, they were ignorant of the saving power of 
grace. In 1831 a young man named Francis Gabel, from 
Upper Milford, Lehigh county, a member of the Evangelical 
Association, applied to David Mertz for employment. He was 
engaged at once and entered upon his work. He was pious and 
exemplary in his conduct, and soon commanded the confidence 

Note. — The Schwenkf elders were the followers of Casper Schwenkfeld, 
who was born in Lower Silesia, in 1490. In April, 1734, a large number of his 
society emigrated to Pennsylvania in the ship **St. Andrew," which arrived in 
Philadelphia Sept. 22, having on board 261 souls, among whom were the 
Yeakels, (Baltzer, George, Abraham, Baltzer, Jr., Casper, Jeremias 
and Henry), also the Kreibels, Hoffmans, Shuberts, Reinwalds, Weig- 
NERS, Huebners, Mentzels, Meisthers and Auders. They had been pre- 
ceded in 1733 by a small party, among whom were the Klemms and Shultzs. 
Rev. Andrew Yeakel, who with many of his people united with the Evangei- 
cal Association, died in 1837, in his fifty-first year. 



98 aVANOELlCAL ASSOCIATION ANNAL8. 

of his employer. His heart went out in love for spiritual welfare 
of Mertz and his wife, and he daily talked with them about their 
salvation, and the certainty and blessedness of the hidden life in 
Christ. In this way their hearts were opened to the spirit of 
conviction. They were as yet unacquainted with the Church 
and had never heard any of the Evangelical ministers preach. 

Late in the Fall of this year, Gabel gained their consent to 
make an appointment at their house for Rev. J. G. Zinser, who 
that year served Lebanon Circuit. Zinser accordingly preached, 
and had as his audience General Mertz, David Mertz and his 
wife Catharine, F. Gabel, and John Hittel, who had brought 
the preacher from his home on the Lehigh Mountain, seven miles 
distant, where he had preached the evening before. Soon after 
this meeting David Mertz and wife became the subjects of sav- 
ing grace. March 13, 1832, J. P. Leib, the colleague of Zinser, 
preached, and thereafter the house was a regular preaching place. 

Mertz and his wife and Gabel had at this time their regular 
prayer-meeting and the two men would in turn read and expound 
the Scriptures ; Mrs. Mertz constituting the audience. When 
the zeal and devotion of this little band is considered, is it strange 
that God has so wonderfully prospered the work in that region ? 
To their number the names of Susanna Garber and Susanna 
MoHR were subsequently added, and this was the Cedar Creek 
Class of 1832. Gabel was leader and Mertz exhorter. 

General Mertz and family were members of the Saltzberger 
Church, (Lutheran) near Emaus. Soon after the conversion of 
David and his wife, they, with Father Mertz, attended the ser- 
vices on one occasion when the pastor, Benjamin Garman, 
preached a special sermon against the new doctrine of conversion. 
He was a bitter opponent of the Evangelical work, and the trend 
of his sermon was to discountenance the new movement, and 
warn his flock against the ''false prophets j** as our preachers were 
then called. After the conclusion of his services, he descended 
the pulpit and assailed Gen. Mertz for abetting the ** deceivers,'* 
by permitting them to preach at the house of his son. He warned 
Mertz against giving further countenance to the heretics, and 
that hereafter he must prohibit the meetings on his place. The 
General, after listening patiently to the angry and inconsiderate 
accusations and demands of his pastor, replied to him : 

**You must understand that I do not hdixbor deceivers 2in6^ 
false prophets. These men do what you do not. They preach 



TEE EARLY DAYS. 99 

the pure Gospel, and before you condemn them you had better 
come and hear them for yourself. You allow all kinds of evil, 
such as drinking and frolicking, and you never stood by me in 
remedying these evils in my neighborhood. The preaching of 
these men is doing good. This I see for myself. Here is my 
son David, he is a new man. Then why should I stop a good 
work. No, I will not interfere. // may go on. " 

When the congregation saw that General Mertz had taken a 
position in favor of the Evangelical preachers, great excitement 
prevailed in the church. Hot words were exchanged, and threats 
of bodily harm were freely made, but the General was a man of 
strong and commanding frame, and undoubted courage, and his 
enemies did not venture to strike him. One of the more excited 
ones made a move to strike the General, but was discreetly pre- 
vented by the pastor. The Mertz*s were, however, unceremoni- 
ously crowded out of the church. Outside, the disorder became 
still greater, and it was with difficulty the more considerate ones 
prevented violence. An old Revolutionary soldier, named Kamme, 
said he had some experience in disposing of evil-doers, and would 
like to shoot these heretics. This was the last time the Mertz 
family attended this church. The violent and unchristian con- 
duct of the people led Mertz to incline more strongly than ever 
to the Evangelical movement, and not long thereafter he and his 
companion realized the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 
and thereafter their mansion was opened as a preaching place. 
Soon thereafter they agreed with their preacher to have a ** gen- 
eral meeting" at their house which was attended by a great 
number of people, some of whom had came a distance of over 
fifty miles. 

Opposition Silenced. Soon after his appointment to this 
circuit, in 1834, Joseph M. Saylor had an appointment to preach 
at the house of David Mertz. A certain pastor named Dering 
determined to break up the work by going with about a dozen of 
his chief members, (some of them very much under the influence 
of liquor, ) directly to the house of Mertz, and proved that Say- 
lor and his co-laborers were '* false prophets," and his followers 
deluded heretics. They made no serious disturbance during the 
service, but immediately at the close the pastor entered into an 
animated discussion with General Mertz. The point of argu- 
ment was the possibility of deliverance from sin in this life. At 
a certain stage of the debate Saylor asked permission to take 



100 EVANOELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the place of General Mertz, which was granted by the pastor, 
whereupon Saylor asked him what was meant by the pas- 
sage, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from 
all sin." (I. John i. 7.) This perplexed the pastor, and after 
venturing an absurd explanation, said the greatest of all the 
Apostles — Paul — had said, that of all the great sinners in the 
world, he was the greatest. Saylor charged him with misquota- 
tion, but he insisted on his correctness. Being called on to pro- 
duce the passages, he failed completely, and turned to his elders 
for assistance, which they were unable to give. Saylor then 
turned to the passage and read, *<This is a faithful saying and 
worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world 
to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I. Tim. i. 15.) Saylor 
then explained that Paul was a saved sinner. This made a deep 
impression on those who were in a condition to understand the 
subject. They declared themselves disgusted with their pastor, 
and said he had brought them all to shame. 

Coiiversioii of Solomon Butz. In the Summer of 1834 
a highly respected and well-to-do farmer, named Solomon Butz, 
who lived in the vicinity of Mertz's, was engaged with his son- 
in-law, Solomon Mertz, at harvesting in a field adjoining the 
factory of David Mertz. The day being hot they repaired to a 
shade tree close to the factory to rest. Mertz was just then in 
the third story of his factory near an open window. Father 
Butz, who was somewhat blunt in speech, called up to Mertz, 
** Helloo, you * Stawveler,' up there, come down, I want to speak 
to you." Mertz came down to the party, when Butz continued, 
** You proud * Strawvelers * think you are the only ones who are 
good," etc., and in his blunt way further sought to show Mertz 
his folly, and the harm he was doing in repudiating the faith 
of his fathers. But Mertz met his accusations in a Christian 
spirit, and told him plainly that unless he repented and sought 
the favor of God in the pardon of his sins he would be lost. 
Mertz referred him to his (Reformed) catechism as proof of 
what he said. These words touched the old man's heart, and he 
was brought to reflection. Daily he became more seriously con- 
cerned for his soul. He searched the Scriptures carefully but 
quietly, as also the rest of his family. Sometime after the fore- 
going incident Mertz and his wife were awakened at.i o'clock 
at night by Father Butz, who seemed to be in an excited state 
of mind. <*What is the matter," called Mertz, *<Oh, nothing 



THE EARL Y DA TS. 101 

serious," said BuTz, ** only the Lord Jesus has come to our house 
and five of our family have found Him already, and the others 
are seeking. " They then went to the house of Butz and labored 
with the seekers until daybreak. The entire family was converted, 
among them little Edmund, then seven years of age, and whom 
the Lord called into the ministry in later years, and who has ever 
stood in the front rank of the mother conference. The conver- 
sion of Butz and his family contributed in a great measure to the 
subsequent development of our work in this valley. 

In 1835 Mertz and his son David determined to build a 
church, for which they had to furnish the means themselves. 
In the very beginning of the undertaking they met with an unex- 
pected difficulty ; the mechanics of the valley positively refusing 
to touch the work under any consideration, so they were com- 
pelled to go to Upper Milford, a distance of twelve miles, and 
secure workmen from among our people there. The church, 
which was a stone structure, was dedicated Nov. 14 and 15, by 
John Seybert, presiding elder of the district and Joseph M. 
Saylor, preacher in charge. An immense concourse of people 
were in attendance, so that a double service was conducted, 
Seybert preaching in the church, and Saylor outside^ standing 
on a large stone. What a contrast between this service and that 
of ZiNSER at David Mertz's house four years before ! There 
were, however, still many evil disposed people in the valley, who 
shamefully desecrated the new edifice. The fence was torn down, 
the windows shattered, and the doors and seats defaced in a 
barbarous manner. This did not dampen in the least the zeal 
of the little Evangelical band. The light of God's Word had 
already dawned upon many eyes, and a better day was coming. 
This was \)ciq first church of our denomination in Lehigh county. 
Behold what God hath wrought ! There are now upwards of 
twenty. 

AllentOWll. In 1834 J. M. Saylor succeeded in gaining 
entrance in Allentown, and for some time preached at the house 
of a colored man named J. Grove, whose landlord, however, be- 
ing opposed to the work, forbade the use of the house for meet- 
ing purposes. 

On Oct. 10, 1837, there was an election in Allentown, and 
General Mertz, accompanied by his son David and wife, and 
Rev. John Seybert and S. Altimos, drove thither in the family 
carriage — not to mingle in politics, but to rear the standard of 



102 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the cross. After the fashion of all colonial towns, the market 
house stood in the center of the square, and there the carriage, 
with the little Evangelical band, stopped, and soon the songs of 
Zion ascended from the market place. The first service in the 
forenoon was conducted by Altimos, who preached in the Eng- 
lish language. In the afternoon Seybert preached in the German 
language, with remarkable power. By his side stood the little 
Evangelical band, while around them surged a great mass of peo- 
ple, for the most part strangers to the experience of gospel grace. 
While preaching, Seybert held in his hand a Testament, from 
which he quoted freely during his discourse. Suddenly a small 
stone whizzed past the head of Mrs. Mertz, as though coming 
from a sling, and struck the Testament, passing through a leaf 
which Seybert was just then turning. Raising up the book so 
that all could see it, he said, **See, some one has cast a stone on 
God's Word, but he will pay for it some day," and then resumed 
his discourse. A prominent lawyer who stood near and was an 
attentive observer was heard to say, ** These men know what they 
are doing. " 

Very soon after this event, Henry Smith opened his house 
as a preaching place, and soon thereafter Charles Hesser, then 
stationed at Philadelphia, came up a number of times and preached 
for the friends in the Presbyterian Church, through which means 
a number of souls were converted. In the early Spring of 1838 
the first class was organized, with Henry Smith as leader. The 
work gained ground every day, and a few months later the sec- 
ond class was organized, with Henry Mertz as leader. To give 
permanency to the work, Mertz and his Cedar Creek friends 
determined to purchase a lot on which to erect a church. The 
purchasing committee were Father Mertz and . his son, David, 
Solomon Butz, Benjamin Mohr and Reuben Glick. The 
church was erected in 1838, on Linden Street, from which three 
additional strong congregations have since sprung. 

In August, 1836, the first camp-meeting in that region was 
held on the land of Father Mertz. Great masses of people at- 
tended it, especially from Allentown. John Seybert was the 

Note. — General Henry Mertz and wife died in 1844, only a few hours 
apart. Their son David and his wife Catharine, who did so mnch for the 
establishment of the Evangelical work in this vicinity, after spending a number 
of years in the active ministry, removed to Allentown, where he died in 1891, 
aged about eighty-six years. 



THE EARL T DA YS. 103 

presiding elder, and had as his assistants such mighty men as J. 
ScHNERR, J. P. Leib, John Breidenstein, J. M. Saylor and 
others. The power of God was wonderfully manifested, many 
souls were saved, and the good seed was scattered in all direc- 
tions. 

In the course of a few years classes were organized in the 
neighboring towns of Emaus, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Springtown, 
Catasauqua, Weissport, Easton and others. 

Bstablishtneiit of the Work in Lebanon. The present 
flourishing work in the city of Lebanon owes its origin to the 
labors of Philip Breidenstein and his son John, who lived 
southeast of the city, and Felix Light, a Mennonite preacher of 
Lebanon. Through their labors a number of souls were con- 
verted in and around the place between 1824 and 1826. Like 
many other converted people of that time, they were unfavorable 
to a separate organization. In 1826, when John Seybert was 
presiding elder of Canaan District, he succeeded, after consider- 
able effort, in organizing a small class, consisting of the following 
members, of which Henry Fisher was made leader : Henry 
Fisher, George Reinoehl and wife, Henry Bowman and wife 
Sarah, John Marlin and wife Margaret, David Fisher, Elias 
Stoever, Jacob Borkert, Barbara Riegel and Fronica Light. 
The work gained ground very rapidly, and commanded the favor 
and respect of the people. In 1830 the first church was erected 
and dedicated by Henry Niebel on Sept. 26th. Henry Fisher, 
Elias Stoever and Jacob Borkert (also Burkitt) became min- 
isters of great prominence in the Association. 

The Work Established in Philadelphia. Although 
John Dreisbach in 1815 preached a number of times in Phila- 
delphia, no permanent foothold was gained until 1833. In 
November of that year Jacob Schnerr, preacher-in-charge of 
Lebanon Circuit, visited the city with a view of establishing the 
work. Nov. 30th he preached his first sermon at the house of a 
widow named Ramer, on Poplar street, near where a few years 

Notes. — See biographies of Fisher and Stoever in Biographical Depart- 
ment. Rev. Jacob Burkitt was born in Lebanon in 1805, and entered the 
ranks of the Eastern Conference in 1839. He was the first missionary of the 
Church in New York City. He died at Greensburg,Ohio, Jan. 11, 1881. David 
Light, one of the early members and a local preacher, died in 1873, aged 
sixty-eight years. George Reinoehl, one of the first pillars of the society, 
died in 187$, aged seventy-nine years. 



104 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

later the first Evangelical church in the city was built. His text 
was, *'What must I do to be saved?" A man named David 
GuTBRODT was deeply impressed with the message of salvation, 
and invited the speaker to preach at his house the following 
evening, which he did, from Acts xxvi. i8. Thereafter he visited 
the city a number of times in the course of a few months, and a 
number of families gladly received him. Many souls were saved 
through his instrumentality, and in April, 1834, he organized a 
class of thirty members. The society was served by the preachers 
of an adjoining circuit until 1835, when it was constituted a 
mission, with Jacob Schnerr as missionary. He met with good 
success, and at the end of the year reported seventy-two mem- 
bers. The following year, about Christmas, a glorious revival 
began, and at the end of the conference year the society num- 
bered one hundred and twenty-four members. Sunday, Oct. i, 
1837, the first church of the Association was dedicated by John 
Seybert, and the dedicatory services continued as a revival 
meeting for several weeks, during which time many souls were 
converted. 

Begimiiiig of the Work at Reading. Reading was taken 
up as a mission in 1844, and Joseph M. Saylor appointed as 
missionary. The outlook in the beginning was not very encour- 
aging. He secured the upper story of a tannery as a preaching 
place, but soon found it unsuitable, and fitted up his house for 
the purpose. In course of time some souls were converted and 
the prospects grew brighter. Finally a kind-hearted man, Dr. 
Nagel, became interested in the mission, and encouraged Saylor 
to erect a church. He, however, encountered great difficulty in 
gathering funds for the purpose, on account of opposition to the 
work by the formal Churches. Finally, however, the basement 
. was completed, in which he began a protracted meeting, resulting 
in the conversion of many souls. This success greatly incensed 
the opponents of the work, and an attack was made upon the 
assembly, causing great disorder. Dr. Nagel determined to 
make an example of the disturbers and brought them before the 
bar of justice, where they were heavily fined. Thereafter there 
was peace, the mission daily grew in favor and soon became 
self-sustaining. In no other place has the work prospered more 
than in the city of Reading. Its congregations are four in 
number, one of which (Salem, Eighth street,) is the strongest of 
the denomination. 



THE MABLY BAYS. 105 

Founding of the Work in Baltimore, Md. At the ses- 
sion of the West Pa. Conference, in 1840, Rev. Jacob Boas was 
sent as a missionary to Baltimore, Md. He arrived there on 
May 7th, and was received by E. Haupt, in whose house he 
preached his first sermon soon after his arrival. There were at 
this time but two members of the Evangelical Association in that 
city. After preaching in private houses for some time, he secured 
a small chapel on Fremont and Noeberg streets. Here a con- 
siderable revival took place and many united with the Church. 
The little band was soon increased by the addition of about forty 
members from the Otterbein United Brethren Church. In Feb- 
ruary of the following year another revival took place and many 
more were added to the Church. The chapel was purchased by 
the society during the year, but soon became too small, and in 
March, 1841, a lot was secured on Camden street, where a church 
was erected, which was dedicated Dec. 12, 1841. Two years 
later a parsonage was erected by the side of the church. At the 
end of two years Boas reported a membership of 215. On Dec. 
14, 185 1, the church was destroyed by fire. While preparations 
were going on for the rebuilding of the church, an offer of $9,000 
for the property by a railway company was accepted. Another 
site was secured on Green street, on which a church was erected 
the following year. The work in Baltimore is now in a prosper- 
ous condition, consisting of six congregations, three English and 
three German. 

In the Blockhouse* This term represents a region of 
country in the northern part of Pennsylvania known as the Lib- 
erty, or Blockhouse Valley, situated in Lycoming and Tioga 
counties. It is a rugged region, about 1,500 feet above sea 
level, surrounded by the broken ridges of the Allegheny Moun- 
tains. In the middle of this valley lies the town of Blockhouse, 
or Liberty, in Tioga county. This valley contained a large 
number of Pennsylvania and European Germans. In the Fall of 

Biographical Note. — William Numson, one of the leading members of 
the Otterbein Church, with many others, joined the little society organized by 
Boas, of which he became one of the chief members and was its chief support 
for many years. He was blessed with abundant means and gave thereof to the 
Church with a liberal hand, his most munificent gift being a contribution of 
many thousands of dollars for the erection of a new edifice for the first English 
society in Baltimore. The church was named in his honor the "Memorial." 
N. was for about half a century a local preacher. He died in 189 1, in the 
eighty-ninth year of his age. 



106 BVANQELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1830 John Seybert, presiding elder of Salem District, passed 
through this region on his way to the State of New York. He 
stopped for the night at the house of John Michael Sindlinger, 
on the Blossburgh road, about three miles west of Blockhouse. 
Before leaving he arranged for a meeting at Sindlinger's on 
his return. Meanwhile the news spread among the people, and 
when he returned, in the course of a few weeks, the house was 
crowded with people anxious to hear the new preacher. When 
he was about to announce his text, a somewhat captious man 
named Gloeckler — doubtless for the purpose of embarrassing 
him, asked him to preach from the nineteenth verse of the 
fifteenth chapter of Jeremiah, which is very expressive in the 
German language. This he did without a moment's preparation, 
and it proved to be the message of God to that people. The 
power of the Lord came down and soon tears began to flow, and 
before the sermon was concluded great numbers were on their 
knees wrestling with God for mercy. This was indeed a mem- 
orable service. James Barber, preacher-in-charge of Centre 
Circuit, then made a journey to the Blockhouse to establish the 
work more fully. A number of other preaching places were 
secured in the valley the following year, but owing to its isolation 
the work here could not receive the desired attention. 

On April 21, 1832, Seybert held the first Evangelical quar- 
terly meeting in the Blockhouse settlement. The services on 
Saturday were held at the house of Father Sindlinger, and on 
the following Sunday at a church a little farther west. James 
Barber was still preacher-in-charge. Many souls were converted 
and the first class in Blockhouse was formed, consisting of 
twenty-one members, with John M. Sindlinger as leader. In 
a few years Blockhouse settlement became one of the strongholds 
of the Church, and has since developed into four flourishing 
charges. The principal preaching places in the valley were the 
homes of John Michael Sindlinger, Christian Essig, W. 

Biographical Notes. — John Michael Sindlinger emigrated from Wur- 
temburg, Germany, in 1818. His two sons, John and Michael, became 
prominent ministers of our Church, the former in 1834 and the latter in 1840* 
Father Sindlinger died in 1837, aged fifty-seven years. Samuel Hartman, 
Sr., died in 1852, aged sixty-two years, and LEONARD Schabacher in 1842. 
He had emigrated from Germany in 1824. Solomon Rupp died in 1863, aged 
sixty-seven years. Rev. Michael Sindlinger died near Philadelphia, Pa., 
in 1888, aged seventy-eight years. He served many years in the itinerancy of 
the East Pa. Conference. 



THE EARL T DA YS. 107 

Landis, G. Kreager, Samuel Hartman, Sr., Weltie's and 
Diebler's. North of Blockhouse was the German settlement 
proper. The preaching places were at the houses of Christian 
DiEHR, Solomon Rupp, Jacob Gloeckler and Leonard Scha- 
bacher. The latter was the father-in-law of the late Judge C. 
F. Veil, who was also a local preacher of the Church. 

John Seybert \n Northwestern Petmsylvauia. In 
1833 John Seybert was appointed missionary to explore the 
northwestern part of Pennsylvania and form a new circuit if 
practicable. He entered upon his work in July, arriving on the 
1 2th at the house of Mr. Gingerich, near Erie, Erie county, 
Pa. He at once sought suitable preaching places and soon found 
many open doors. On Sunday morning, July 14, he preached 
his first sermon at the house of J. Long. The principal families 
in Erie and vicinity who received him and opened their houses 
for religious services were : John Hershey (i), Jacob and John 
Long, Jacob Miller, William Heiss (2), Jacob Rippley (3), 
David Williams (4) and the families of Gimber, Metzler, 
Brown and Kurtes. A number of the foregoing lived at Fair- 
view, four miles east of Erie. Three classes were organized at 
Erie during the year, the leaders of which were John Hershey, 
Samuel Heiss and Jacob Long. In and around Warren, in 
Warren county, Seybert met with equally good success, and 
formed three classes there. Among the families converted there 
were the following: Gross, Ott, Knopf, Esher, Grunder, 
Trier, Vetter and Stubler. The leaders of the classes were 

Biographical Notes. — (i) John Hershey became a minister and ren- 
dered several years of active service in the Ohio Conference. 

(2) William Heiss emigrated with his family from Berks county to Erie 
county, Pa., where they were all converted and became a noted Evangelical 
family. He died in 1861, aged seventy-nine years. Five of his sons entered 
the active ministry of the church, as follows : Samuel, born in 1803, entered 
the itinerancy in 1839 and rendered many years of active service in Pennsylva- 
nia and Ohio, died in 1883, aged seventy-nine years ; Henry entered the ranks 
of the Ohio Conference in 1837, Levi in 1840, died in Indiana in 1870 ; Jacob 
in 1841 and Peter in 1842. The latter in the (now) Central Pa. Conference. 
He died in 1871, at Mifflinburg, Pa. They were humble, devoted men, and 
did good work for the Master's cause. 

(3) Jacob Rippley, from Manor township, Lancaster county, was a son of 
Elizabeth Thomas, who was one of the first to open her house as a preaching 
place for Albright. 

(4) David Williams and wife, from the same place, were converted under 
Albright. 



108 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

Henry D. Grunder, Martin Esher and John Ott. In Craw- 
ford county Seybert was also kindly received by a number of 
families, among whom were the Gehrs (5). In Mercer county he 
was received by the families of Eberhart (6), Phillips (7), 
Bernhart, Meyer, Blank and Faulk, and in Allegheny county 
by the families of Huntsberger, Shoutz and Herr. After a 
year of unsurpassed activity and great success, he closed his 
labors April 24, 1834, having traveled 3,011 miles, preached 218 
sermons and reported 121 members, 100 of whom were converted 
under his labors. This field continued to prosper and has devel- 
oped into many flourishing charges. 

Fouiiditig of the Work in New York State. Near the 
beginning of the eighteenth century the Indian titles to the land 
in Northwestern New York were extinguished and the country 
was opened for settlement. Among the people who flocked 
thither in quest of new homes were a great many Pennsylvania 
Germans. In 1807 Christian Wolf removed from Buffalo Val- 
ley (see **Lewisburgh"), in (now) Union county, Pa., to a 
place four miles west of Seneca Falls, in Seneca county, N. Y, 
Wolf was a local preacher and uncle of Rev. John Dreisbach, 
at whose father's house he formed the acquaintance of Jacob 
Albright and became one of his staunchest supporters. When 
Wolf and others from Northampton, Lehigh and Union counties 
settled here they were deprived of the public means of grace, and 

(5) From this family came Nicholas Gehr, editor of the "Christliche 
Botschafter" in 1848. 

(6) Abraham Eberhart and wife Esther lived in Hickory township, 
Mercer county, about nine miles from the town of Mercer. His house was a 
preaching place for many years. He died near Chicago, 111., in 1880. Five 
of his sons became ministers, of whom the following two served many years in 
the Evangelical Association : Uriah Eberhart, born in 1821, entered the 
itinerancy of the West Pa. Conference in 1843; was elected presiding elder in 
1849 > located on account of failing health at the end of his term, and later 
removed to Illinois. Levi Eberhart, born in 1822, entered the ministry of 
the West Pa. Conference in 1841, serving seventeen years in the itinerancy. 
In 1852 he withdrew from the active work of the conference and later removed 
to Illinois, where he again entered th« active ranks and served one term as 
presiding elder. Prof. John F. Eberhart, born in 1829, became principal of 
the newly-established Albright Seminary, at Berlin, Somerset county, in Sep- 
tember, 1853. 

(7) Samuel Phillips, son of Conrad Phillips, one of the first supporters 
of Albright, and present at the first council of 1803, lived several miles east 
of Sharon. He died in 1888, aged eighty-three years. 



TEE EARLY DATS. 109 

Wolf began holding prayer-meetings among the settlers. In 
1812 John Dreisbach and Robert McCray were sent to the 
newly-settled region by the conference. The Germans there were 
widely scattered and the brethren did not succeed as they antici- 
pated, so that they became discouraged, and leaving the work in 
charge of Wolf, they returned to Pennsylvania. Notwithstand- 
ing the departure of the missionaries, the work in New York 
continued to live under the care of Wolf. A class was formed 
about this time in this locality which was the first organization 
of Evangelicals beyond the bounds of Pennsylvania. The mem- 
bers of the class were Rev. Christian Wolf (leader) and wife 
Barbara, Jacob Riegel and wife Maria, Abraham Bachman 
and wife, John Vreeland and wife, J. Pontius and wife, besides 
a number of younger members of these families. 

Wolf remained in charge of the work until 1816, when Jacob 
Klinefelter was sent thither, and from that time the field was 
regularly supplied. The charge was called Lake Mission, by 
which name it was known for many years. At the close of 18 16 
the membership was forty-two. John Dreisbach, presiding 
elder, also visited the work this year, extending his trip to Buf- 
falo. In this vicinity he preached at the houses of Christian 
Thomas and P. Bluecher. Twelve miles from Buffalo he preached 
at the house of Jacob Schopp. Crossing over into Canada, six 
miles above Niagara Falls, he preached at the house of Jacob 
Miller. Near Burlington he preached at the houses of his 
uncles, John and Jacob Books. This was the first visit of an 
Evangelical presiding elder beyond the bounds of Pennsylvania. 

From Seneca county as a center the Evangelical work spread 
into Lyons, Syracuse, Rochester, Lockport and also Stueben 
county, all prior to 1835. The entire work in the State was com- 
prised in one great circuit until 1832, when Buffalo Circuit was 
formed, and in 1833 Mohawk Circuit. In 1835 Joseph Har- 
LACHER, who served Buffalo Circuit, began to preach in the city 
of Buffalo. The following year Buffalo was made a mission and 
Harlacher appointed to the same. He met with great success 

Biographical Notes. — Jacob Riegel, formerly of Northampton county, 
Pa. , was the main-stay of Lake Circuit after the death of Wolf. His house 
was a regular preaching place for many years. He was the father of Rev. J. 
Riegel. He died in 1858, aged eighty-three years, and his wife Maria in 
1861, aged eighty-one years. John Vreeland, also one of the early pillars in 
Seneca county, died in 1863. Jacob Schopp, whose house was the first preaching 
place in the vicinity of Buffalo, died in 1853, aged eighty-seven years. 



110 EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. ' 

and in 1837 organized a society of about sixty members. It was 
then again connected with the circuit until 1840, when it was made 
a station, of which F. Krecker was the first pastor. In 1839 a 
mission was located in the city of New York, with Jacob Burkett 
as missionary. The work at first made slow progress, but finally 
a flourishing church was established. 

The first Evangelical church in the State of New York was 
erected at Clarence, fifteen miles east of Buffalo, and was dedi- 
cated in 1834, The year following another was dedicated at the 
first appointment in Seneca county, another at Rochester in 1842, 
and in 1844 at Lyons, Syracuse and New York City. 

The Church Established in Canada. As already noticed, 
J. Dreisbach visited Upper Canada as early as 18 16, but with- 
out permanent results. In 1836 Rev. J. G. Zinser visited the 
province, remaining nine days. The same year Rev. Charles 
Hammer, who was serving Buffalo Circuit, also went thither, and 
again in the following January, everywhere meeting with open 
doors to preach the Word of Life. A little later J. Harlacher 
also visited the province, but no regular appointment was 
maintained. 

In September, 1838, a very remarkable appeal from H. W. 
Peterson, Waterloo, Upper Canada, was published in the **Bot- 
schafter." Mr. P. was a highly influential man. In this com- 
munication he set forth the deplorable condition of the people, 
and entreated the Church to send them missionaries. In 1839 
the Eastern Conference established two missions in Canada — 
Waterloo and Black Creek. Christian Holl and Michael Eis 
were the first missionaries. They met with remarkable success. 
So great was the religious interest that Holl was enabled to hold 
a camp-meeting on his charge — the first in Canada. It was 
held on the land of David Erb, two miles north of Waterloo, 
beginning Aug. 23. Many were converted, among whom was 
Philip Smith, who afterwards became a prominent minister of 
the Canada Conference. Two classes were organized as a result 
of this meeting, which were the first organizations of the Church 
in Canada. In Berlin and Waterloo the work gained ground 
daily. The following year Joseph Harlacher was appointed 
to this work and met with continued success. So rapid was the 
growth of the work that in 1847 it was constituted a district. 
The first Evangelical church in Canada was dedicated in Berlin, 
Sept. 26, 1841. 



CHAPTER V 



FRANKLIN CIRCUIT. 

Establishment of the Evangelical Association in South- 
WESTERN Pennsylvania and Maryland — Early Preach- 
ing Places, Classes and Prominent Laymen. 

On Easter day, 1808, Rev. Jacob Albright stationed his 
little band of preachers for the last time. John Walter and 
Jacob Frey were appointed by him to the '*01d" or Schuylkill 
Circuit. Some time after Albright's death a change was made, 
John Erb, who entered the ministry in the Fall of 1808, taking 
the place of Frey, who was sent to explore York and adjacent 
counties. Frey found some open doors and established a num- 
ber of preaching places. After some months of labor he resigned, 
and the work remained unsupplied for one year. In 18 10 John 
Erb and Matthias Betz were appointed to form a new circuit 
and in a short time extended the work into the counties of York, 
Adams, Cumberland and Franklin in Pennsylvania, and Carroll 
and Washington in Maryland. The bounds of this great field 
remained without material change until 18 15, when James Bruer 
extended the work into West Virginia, as will be noted in a 
subsequent chapter. 

In describing the establishment of the Evangelical work on 
this field, we deem it best to begin at the eastern extremity and 
proceed westward. 

York County — Freysville. Near the Susquehanna River^ 
in Windsor township, is the village of Freysville. This was one 
of the preaching places of Jacob Frey in 1808. A class was 
formed here in 18 10, the principal members of which were : John 
Frey (leader), Daniel and John Oberderf, Peter and Henry 
Yeider, John Dellinger, Fred. Ilgenfritz and Michael 



112 E V ANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

Hess. About this time also John Jacob Becker, of the noted 
family of that name on the Muehlbach, also removed to this 
place. It is a remarkable circumstance that so many of our 
early Evangelical people emigrated to the West, in some instances 
almost entire classes left the homes of their nativity. We call 
attention to this fact as indicating that by far the greater number 
of the first members of the Association in the West were sons and 
daughters of the Old Keystone State. In 1822 a large number 
of the Freysville Class emigrated to Brush Valley, Indiana county. 
Pa., and were immediately followed by the Evangelical preachers. 
Among them were the class-leaders, John Frey,* Daniel and 
John Oberdorf and Michael Hess. Henry YEiDERf removed 
to Wayne county, O., where he opened his house as a regular 
preaching place. 

Mount Ziotl. About six miles west of Freysville was the 
Seitz settlement. Here was the old home of John Seitz, Sr., 
who came from Germany about the middle of the last century. 
He had a large family, some of whom became prominent in the 
Association. The emigrant died in 1 793, but his aged companion 
Catharine, who, with her youngest son John, occupied the old 
homestead, received the Evangelical preachers, died in 18 13. 
Four married daughters and one son of this excellent family had 
removed to Ohio in the first years of the century, and were 
among the first to open their doorsi to the Evangelical mission- 
aries in 18 1 6. (See Lancaster Circuit.) The Seitz appointment 
became one of the strongholds of the Association at an early day. 
A stone church was erected here in 1827, which was one of the 
first churches of the Association. 

The Seitz Class. A class was formed at Mt. Zion in 1810. 
The following were the principal members: John Seitz (i), 
leader; Jacob Baily (2), Nicholas Enders (3), Michael 

* John Frey died in 1876, aged eighty-nine years. 

f Henry Yeider died in Wayne county, O., in i846,aged seventy-six years. 

Biographical Notes. — i. Rev. J. Seitz and wife died in 1856, aged 
seventy-eight and seventy-one years, respectively. He was a strong pillar in 
the church in the early days. 

2. Jacob Baily and wife Catharine at an early day removed to Elims- 
port, Lycoming county, Pa., and were the means of establishing the work there. 
He served thirty-three years as class-leader, and died in 1846, aged sixty years. 

3. Nicholas Enders, class-leader, and later local preacher, removed to 
Portage county, O., and died there in 1846. 



THE EABLT DATS. 113 

Fisher, J. Reber, Conrad Hess, Conrad Reinhart (4), John 
Staebler (5), John Philip Dick, Jacob Reinhart, Christian 
Aubel (6), G. Gladfelter and John Lucas. 

John Reber lived near Loganville. His home was one of the 
first preaching places (1810), and soon thereafter a class was 
formed there. This was the origin of the Church at Loganville. 

Shrewsbury — The KUnef elters. Several miles from the 
Seitz appointment was the village of Strassburgh, now Shrews- 
bury. In this vicinity lived the Klinefelters, a name prominent 
in the history of the Evangelical Association. John Klinefel- 
ter was one Of several brothers who came from Germany and 
settled here. He was born in Hanover in 1736, and died Oct. 
I, 182 1, aged eighty-four years. His wife Margaret died in 
1 8 13. These were the grandparents of Rev. John and Jacob 
Klinefelter. 

One of the sons of the emigrant was named Jacob, whose 
wife's name was Julia. They had a large family of sons and 
daughters, nearly all of whom were grown up when the Evangel- 
ical preachers first visited them. The names of the children 
were: John, Jacob, Michael, Peter, George, Henry, William, 
Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary (both the latter married brothers 
named Baker and removed to Ohio), Julia, Lena and Leah. 
This entire family, with few exceptions, removed to Ohio, where 
they became pillars in the Church. Jacob Klinefelter, the 
father, was born in York county in 1767 and died in 1830. His 
wife Julia died at the home of her son. Rev. Jacob Klinefelter, 
near Marion, O., in 1843, aged seventy-one years. 

When the Evangelical preachers first came to Jacob Kline- 
felter, Sr., his aged parents were yet living and were made the 
subjects of saving grace. When the old homestead became an 
Evangelical preaching place in 1810 the Klinefelters, who 
were members of a formal Church, became the victims of sore 
persecution which for bitterness has seldom been exceeded in 
the history of the Association. When the wife of the emigrant 

4. Conrad Reinhart also removed to Ohio, and became prominent therei 
He died in 1871, aged eighty-six years. 

5. John Staebler (wife Susanna) removed to Wayne, Clinton county, Pa., 
where they were the first to receive our preachers. A fine congregation is the 
result of the work begun at their house. 

6. Rev. Christian Aubel died in Medina county, O., in 187 1, aged 
eighty-two years. 



114 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

died in 1 8 13 preparations were made to bury her in the graveyard 
of a church near by where the whole family had been members. 
The church council, however, decided that inasmuch as mother 
K. **had fallen away from the faith'* she could not be buried in 
that churchyard. Great indeed was the tribulation of her aged 
husband, who, after having been the chief instrument in building 
that church, and had laid away his dead in its consecrated 
enclosure, was now denied sepulture for his companion, who had 
come with him from the Fatherland. A family consultation was 
held, the result of which was that she was buried in a field on the 
old homestead. Soon after this others who were denied burial 
at the church were interred by the side of Mother Klinefelter, 
so that this became the first burying ground of the Evangelical 
Association. In later years a church was built here (Klinefel- 
ter*s Chapel). 

Jacob Klinefelter's became a famous place for general and 
camp-meetings. In 18 15 the conference held its annual session 
here. John Klinefelter was the secretary, and both he and 
his brother Jacob were ordained in the house in which they were 
born. It is said their parents and grandfather rejoiced greatly 
on this occasion. 

In the town of Shrewsbury lived Joseph Klinefelter, who 
first heard of the Evangelical preachers at the house of John 
Seitz. He invited them to preach in his place, which they did 
soon after the new circuit was established. He fitted up his barn 
for services, and this served very well until a church was built 
jointly with the Methodists in 1822. This church is generally 
considered the second edifice of the Association. The conference 
was held here immediately after its erection. Joseph Klinefel- 
ter also had his trials to endure, because he espoused the cause 
of Evangelical truth. He had been a deacon in the Lutheran 
Church and one of the leading citizens of the town. His aged 
mother was greatly shocked that he had *' fallen away from the 
faith, *' and serious family trouble seemed inevitable as the result 
of his course. The mother, however, became convinced of the 
truth, became a subject of saving grace, joined the society and 
soon thereafter died triumphantly. Joseph K. died in 1857, 
aged fifty-four years. His wife Margaret died in 1877, aged 
ninety-four years. 

Where Rail Road borough is now situated, near Shrewsbury, 
lived John Adam Klinefelter, an older brother of Joseph,. 



THE EABLT DATS. 115 

noticed in the preceding paragraph. He was a man of means 
and considerable influence, and was the father of Rev. Adam 
Klinefelter, who became one of the leading men of the Church. 
When the circuit was formed, in 1810, his children, most of 
whom were grown up, became acquainted with John Walter 
and John Dreisbach, the preachers-in-charge. The family of 
Klinefelter arranged to have Dreisbach preach at their house. 
Mr. K., who was a worldly man, did not interfere. After the 
first service the formal Church people waited on him and incited 
him against the Evangelical work, and it was with the greatest 
difficulty that preaching was maintained at his place. In course 
of time, however, he became reconciled to the meetings, but 
never united with the society. His children, however, nine in 
number, became noted Evangelicals. His son-in-law, Peter 
Kohler, was one of the first class-leaders at Shrewsbury, and 
later removed to Ohio, where he was a prominent, useful member 
for many years. 

Carroll Connty, Maryland. John Philip Dick and his 
wife Mary were converted at the house of John Seitz, in York 
county. Pa., in the beginning of the work there, and soon after 
removed a few miles south into Maryland, where his home became 
a preaching place, the result of which was a fine congregation 
and church in later years (Ruhl's church). Dick died in 1855, 
aged sixty-nine years. His son Joseph entered the ministry of 
the West Pa. Conference in 1844. In 18 10 the Evangelical 
preachers found entrance near Manchester. They were received 
by Peter Bixler, Father Fruh, the Dehoffs and others. A 
class was formed, which continued to flourish for many years. 

Conewago — The Ettingers. In the northwestern part of 
York county, twenty-five miles from Shrewsbury, Walter and 
Dreisbach found open doors in 18 10, and good appointments 
were taken up in Dover and Warrington townships, along the 
Conewago Creek. Near Mt. Royal was the home of Rev. Adam 
Ettinger, a Reformed minister, who died in 1809. He was a 
man of liberal and Evangelical views, and encouraged the relig- 

BiOGRAPHiCAL NoTES. — Father Bixler died in 1853, aged eighty-two years. 
His son Jacob entered the ministry in 1821, and died at Fairview, Iowa, in 
1887, aged eighty-six years. John Dehoff entered the ministry in 1815, trav- 
eled about ten years and settled in Wayne county, O. His brother, Moses 
Dehoff, entered the ministry in 1816, and later settled in Sandusky county, 0» 
John Fruh entered the ministry in 1816. 



116 EVANQELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

ious awakening of that day. Christian Newcomer and other 
promoters of the Evangelical movement were often guests at his 
house. His widow and her sons were still living at the old home 
when our first preachers made their appearance in this locality. 
The names of the sons were Adam, Jacob, John, Benjamin, 
Jonas and Daniel. The conversion of this family occurred 
under somewhat peculiar circumstances. Late in the Autumn 
of 1810 Walter and Dreisbach held a general meeting at the 
house of Christian Meyers, near the Conewago, which was 
attended by the widow Ettinger and a number of her sons. 
The preaching of Walter made a profound impression on her, 
and she was led to see and feel the insufficiency of her profession. 
In the midst of the service, and as if completely overcome by 
the power of God, she exclaimed, *'This is the work of the Lord, 
and the precious truth of the Gospel." Then going to her son 
Adam, who was in the assembly, she fell upon his neck and 
exclaimed, '*Adam we are lost, we must be converted to God." 
This pathetic incident greatly moved the assembly, many more 
became concerned for their salvation and many conversions fol- 
lowed, among whom was the widow Ettinger, with all her 
children, of whom Adam, Benjamin and Jacob became Evan- 
gelical preachers a few years thereafter. 

The homes of Michael Jacobs and Michael Ashenfelter 
w€re the chief preaching places on the north side of the Cone- 
wago. The first Evangelical camp-meeting in York county was 
held on the land of brother Jacobs in 18 14. A class was formed 
in this region in 181 1, the chief members of which were Michael 
Ashenfelter, Michael Jacobs, Christian Meyers and Anna 
Ettinger, with their families, Abraham Bayer and wife Maria 
and Conrad Miller and wife Dorothea. 

x'n 1820 George Gladfelter, an influential man, received 
the Evangelical preachers and became a great support to the 
cause. On his place were held the camp-meetings for Upper 
York county for many years. 

Biographical Notes. — Mother Anna Ettinger died in 1842, aged 
seventy-six years. Rev. A. Ettinger, Jr., died in 1877, aged ninety years 
(see biography). Rev. Benjamin Ettinger died in Sandusky county, O., in 
1838, aged forty-four years. JoN Ettinger died in Morrow county, O., in 
1863, aged seventy-eight years. Jonas Ettinger died near Leavenworth, 
Kan., in 1863, aged seventy-eight years. His family were of the first Evangel- 
icals in Kansas. Michael Ashenfelter, who was class-leader of the Cone- 
wago Class for thirty years, and died in 1855, aged seventy-four years. 



THE EAMLY DA T8. 117 

Adams County. One of the first to receive the Evangeli- 
cal preachers in Adams county were Father Conrad Bender and 
wife Susan. This was probably as early as 1810. All their chil- 
dren were grown, and several of them heads of families, and so 
far as can be learned, all were converted and became members 
of the society. The sons, Jacob and Henry, were for upwards 
of half a century the chief men of the old Gettysburg Circuit. 

The Bendersville Class was organized about 18 14. Follow- 
ing were the members : Father Conrad Bender and wife Susan, 
Henry Bender and wife Elizabeth, Jacob Bender and wife 
Eve Catharine, Elizabeth (Bender) Wahley, John Schlos- 
SER and wife Susan, Christian Price and wife Catharine. 
Jacob Bender was class-leader for many years, and his place 
was noted for general and camp-meetings. 

The Evangelical work here, as elsewhere, was at first bitterly 
opposed. The following incident, related by an eye witness, 
shows the spirit of self-sacrifice of our early Evangelical people : 
John Schlosser was a tavern-keeper when he was converted, and 
at once forsook the business. His father, Peter Schlosser, who 
was a wealthy man, having heard that his son had *' fallen away 
from the faith," (he was a member of one of the formal churches) 
came to him in a towering rage, and with oaths and imprecau- 
tions denounced the '^Albrights " as heretics, and their preach- 
ers as deceivers, and declared that none of his children who 
joined them should be his heirs. He then flung fifty dollars in 
gold on the table, and told his son to take it as his portion. 
Then going to his daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Bender), 
the same scene was enacted, and a like sum paid her. The cruel 
father never relented, but what he withheld the Lord supplied for 
his disinherited children, and they had an abundance of this 
world's goods. At a later date Jacob and Henry Bender pur- 
chased the tavern stand and laid out the town of Bendersville, 
now a place of considerable size, and where the church repre- 
senting the old class is situated. Some years after his conver- 
sion, John Schlosser removed to Cumberland county, where he 
opened his house as an Evangelical preaching place. While liv- 
ing there a friendless youth named Jacob Schnerr found a home 

Biographical Notes. — Henry Bender died in 1863, aged seventy-eight 
years. Jacob Bender died in 1865, aged eighty-three years. John Schlosser 
died in Chambersburg, Pa., in 1840. 



118 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

with him and was converted. His call to a signally useful min- 
istry is elsewhere related. 

Near the base of the South Mountain lived J. Bishop,* who 
was converted (presumably) at Benders, and in 1816 opened 
his house as a preaching place. Ludwig Group, a wealthy and 
influential man, also received our preachers at an early day, and 
a good class was formed in this vicinity. 

Cumberland County. At the extreme western end of 
Cumberland county, near the base of the South Mountain, and 
about four miles from Shippensburg, is a locality known as **The 
Pines. " Here lived the excellent families of Buchman, Clever, 
Helm, Reese and Mower, Philip Buchman had four sons 
named Abraham, Joseph, Henry and Philip. Several cir- 
cumstances seem to indicate that this place was visited by our 
preachers prior to the formation of the circuit. When the Frank- 
lin Circuit was formed in 18 10, Abraham Buchman opened his 
house as a regular preaching place, as did also Henry Mower, 
who lived a few miles farther south. The former, who was con- 
verted in 1808, became the chief instrument in the hands of 
God in the establishment and extension of our work here. His 
brother Joseph also became a noted worker. 

About this time Abraham Buchman's father-in-law, * *B arney" 
Clever, who had a large family, became very ill, and as he was 
old and unprepared to die, Abraham and Joseph Buchman went 
,to his house to pray with him. While they were kneeling by his 
bedside engaged in prayer in his behalf, a brother of Clever's, 
who had heard of his illness, arrived and entered the room. 
Being bitterly opposed to the Evangelical work, he became very 
angry at the sight and siezed Joseph, who was a small man, and 
threw him out of the door. This godless act greatly shocked 
the community, and turned out to the furtherance of our work. 
Clever was converted, and after his recovery united with the 
Church, as did also his family, f 

Several miles southwest of the Pines our preachers found 
open doors at the homes of John and Jacob Vandersall, whose 
houses became regular preaching places in 18 10. No class was 
formed here. The Vandersalls as well as others here belonged 
to the class in the Pines. The principal members of the Pines 

* J. Bishop died in 1852. 

f This incident was related to the author by Mother Helm, a daughter of 
"Barney" Clever, who witnessed it. 



THE EARLY DATS, 119 

Class in 1811 were: Abraham Buchman (leader) and wife, 
Joseph Buchman and wife, Barney Clever, wife and family, 
Henry Mower and wife, David Mower (son of Henry) and 
wife, Adam Reese and wife Catharine, John Vandersall and 
wife, Jacob Vandersall and wife Barbara, besides others whose 
names cannot be ascertained with certainty. The Pines Class 
in the course of a few years became one of the strongest and best 
in the Association. Three flourishing congregations, each pro- 
vided with a good church, are now found in this vicinity. 

Abraham Bttchmati — Incidents. Abraham Buchman 
was one of the most remarkable men of the Church. Soon after 
his conversion he was licensed to preach, and in 18 13 entered 
the active ministry. After three years of hard service he located, 
but continued to travel and preach as circumstances permitted. 
His crowning work was the holding of camp-meetings on his land 
for many years. At one time when he exhorted after some one 
else had preached, the audience was greatly moved and his aged 
fathet, who had thus far resisted the Gospel, came to the altar 
as a penitent. Hundreds of souls were converted here, some of 
whom became useful ministers. Buchman*s liberality became 
proverbial. Although in very moderate circumstances, he gave 
most royally. He often said that what he gave to the Lord 
through the door was sent back to him through the windows. 
On one occasion, at a camp-meeting in his grove, when a specially 
good collection was desired and a strong appeal was made, he 
surprised everybody by opening his purse over the plate and 
emptying all its contents, which were considerable, upon it.* 
On another occasion he surprised an indigent candidate for the 
ministry by presenting him with horse, saddle and bridle, f At 

♦This was related to the author by an eye witness. 

f See biography of Jacob Schnerr. 

Biographical Notes. — John Vandersall entered the active ministry in 
1 82 1, having served several years prior as a local preacher. Failing in health 
he located in 1823, and died in 1826. His daughter Elizabeth was the wife 
of the noted Rev. John Hamilton. 

Jacob Vandersall became a local preacher soon after his conversion. In 
1 81 7 he removed to Summit county, O., where his house became one of the first 
preaching places. He rendered great service to the Church in Ohio. He died 
in 1853, aged seventy years. His wife Barbara died in 1865. 

Joseph Buchman at an early day removed to Stark county, O. , where his 
house became a preaching place. He died in 1839, aged fifty-six years. 

Rev. Abraham Buchman removed to Adams county, lad., in 1840, where 
he died in 1856, aged seventy-seven years. 



120 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANKAL8. 

another time he gave the conference forty dollars wherewith to 
purchase a horse for any poor preacher it might designate. 

BucHMAN was a remarkably fearless man. One incident, 
which he related to his nephew, from whom the author obtained 
it, may suffice to show his courage. In 1814, when he traveled 
Somerset Circuit, which then embraced nearly half of the terri- 
tory of the present Pittsburg Conference, he learned that two 
men had declared their intention to kill him the next time he 
made his trip across the AUeghenies. Nothing daunted, trusting 
in God, he started on his trip as usual. When crossing the 
mountains from Morrison*s Cove he saw the men who had threat- 
ened his life standing, gun in hand, one on each side of the road. 
Knowing their dangerous character and evil designs, he looked 
to God for help and advanced. The men seemed dumbfounded 
at his boldness and stood motionless and silent, and he passed 
them in safety. 

Mount Rock and Vicinity. About midway between Car- 
lisle and Shippensburg the Evangelical work was introduced in 
1 8 18. The first preaching place was at the house of Mrs. Anna 
Maria Spangler. She invited the preachers to her house, and 
was a great support to the cause until her death. In the above 
year J. Zinn and George Nailor also opened their houses as 
preaching places. The latter became a local preacher and did 
much to build up the Evangelical work in Cumberland Valley. 
John Minnich and J. Wagoner were also of the first members 
in Cumberland Valley. At the home of the latter a class was 
formed and later a church built, which bears his name. Quite a 
number of the young converts became eminent ministers, among 
whom was Philip Wagoner, in 1822. In Mifflin township the 
Evangelical preachers were received by Peter Jacob y in 1824. 

In 1832, when J. M. Saylor had charge of Franklin Circuit, 
a camp-meeting was held near Mount Rock, which was attended 
by several highly respectable people from the vicinity of Carlisle, 
who, although members of another Church, felt their need of 
greater spirituality, and attended the meeting with that end in 

Biographical Notes. — Mrs. Anna Maria Spangler, who was the first 
to receive the Evangelical preachers at Mount Rock, died in 1842, aged eighty 
years. 

Rev. George Nailor died in 1854, aged seventy-six years. 

Peter Jacoby, the first to receive the preachers in Mifflin township, died in 
1854, aged eighty years. 



THE EAELT DATS. 121 

view. Among these people was the wife of David Kutz, who> 
resided a few miles east of Carlisle. It was she who first invited 
J. M. Saylor to come to their place and preach for them, which 
he did soon after the camp-meeting closed. Great opposition- 
was brought to bear against the Evangelical work in this vicinity, 
and the faith of the Kutz family in the preacher was severely 
tried. All manner of scandalous stories were circulated against 
him. They, however, remained firm friends to him and the cause, 
and a good footing was gained. Other influential people also 
were converted, among them Jacob Kutz, Christian Ruhl and 
John Kratzer. A strong society and a good church was the 
immediate outcome of this work, which later led lo the establish- 
ment of societies at New Kingston, Carlisle, Mt. Holly, Stoney^ 
town and other points. 

State Line. Nearly midway between Greencastle, Pa. , and 
Hagerstown, Md., where the Mason and Dixon Line separates 
Franklin county, Pa., from Washington county, Md., lived a large 
number of Pennsylvania Germans, who had emigrated thither 
from Lancaster county. This is doubtless the place visited by 
Albright in the first year of his ministry, 1796. He and his 
co-laborers were here entertained by Leonard MiDDLEKAUFF,and 
when the circuit was established in 18 10, Middlekauff's house, 
which was in Maryland, two miles south of the line, became a. 
regular preaching place. In 18 18 he purchased from the heirs 
of Lord Carroll an estate of almost 1,000 acres situated at the 
east limits of Hagerstown. Here his large stone mansion became 
farm house. Evangelical church, and parsonage combined, and 
remained such until his death. Father M. had a large family, 
some of whom were members of the first class. Daniel entered 
the ministry of our Church in 1820, traveled three years, located, 
and later removed to the West, where he died. Jacob married 
Polly, a daughter of Philip Breitenstein, of Lebanon. The 
house of Jacob also was a preaching place for many years. 

The Wingerts. About the year 1800 Jacob Wenger (now 
Wingert) and Henry Kummler removed from the Swamp, in 
Lancaster county, to Antrim township, Franklin county, Pa., 
about three miles north of Middlekauff. They were both doubt- 

NoTES ON State Line. — Leonard Middlekauff died in 185 1, aged 
eighty-seven years. His wife Elizabeth, who was a daughter of Peter 
Schlosser, the old gentleman who disinherited his children for becoming Evan* 
gelicals (See Bendersville), died in 1826, aged sixty-eight years. 



122 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATIOJSr ANNALS. 

less well acquainted with Jacob Albright, as the latter frequently 
preached at the house of John Wenger, brother of Jacob, at the 
Swamp. Jacob had embraced religion and forsaken the dead 
churches, and it is therefore probable that he opened his doors to 
Albright in his new home. He and H. Kummler joined the 
United Brethren, and both became prominent ministers, Kummler 
being elected bishop in 1825. 

In 1809 Jacob Wenger sold his farm to his brother Joseph, 
who at once removed from the Swamp to this place. They were 
well acquainted with Albright, and circumstances point to their 
conversion under his ministry. When the Franklin Circuit was 
established (1810) his house became one of the first preaching 
places, and a regular appointment was maintained there until the 
death of the last male survivor of his family, the late Samuel 
WiNGERT, Esq., in 1888 — seventy-eight years a preaching place ! 
What a bright record the scroll of eternity will unfold to the honor 
of this royal Evangelical family. 

Joseph Wenger* had a large family of sons and daughters, all 
members of the Church ; some of them of the original class. A 
large portion of the estate was given to the various interests of 
the Church, such as the missionary, educational and church 
building enterprises. The sums given aggregate many thousand 
dollars. It was the author's good fortune to be personally ac- 
quainted with the last survivor of this royal family, Lydia, whose 
name will be cherished for many generations to come, as one of 
the last acts of her life was the bestowal of the munificent gift of 
over 1 1, 000 to the educational interests of the Central Pa. Con- 
ference. 

Another original appointment of Franklin Circuit was at 
Father Eisenberger's in Little Cove, near M'ercersburg. This 
was one of Albright's preaching places, noticed in another con- 
nection. A small class existed here for some time, but was dis- 
solved by the death and emigration of the members. 

When J. M. Saylor was appointed to York Circuit, in the 
Spring of 1825, he had many misgivings as to the reality of his 
call to the ministry, and often wished for some special assurance. 

* Joseph Wenger died in 1848, in his seventy-fifth year ; his wife Barbara 
in 1846, in her sixty-eighth year. Henry Kummler was married to Susan, a 
sister of Jacob and Joseph Wenger. The '< Social Conference," which had 
for its object the union of the United Brethren and the Evangelical Association, 
was held in his house in l8l6. The Evangelical delegates wereqll quartered at 
Joseph Wenger 's. 



THE EARLY DATS, 123 

On a certain journey to the upper end of the circuit, which then 
extended into Adams county, he once stopped with a man som# 
distance north of Gettysburg. He asked permission to preach 
in the house on his return, which was granted. When he returned 
to fill the appointment, on a Aveek-day afternoon, he found the 
yard full of people, who were curious to see and hear the new 
preacher. The house, however, was empty, and no persuasion 
could induce the people to enter. The remarkable conduct of 
the people can only be explained on the supposition that they 
were afraid of the magical powers so generally ascribed to the 
itinerant preachers of that day. The assembly, however, was 
very orderly, and composed of the most respectable people of that 
place, among whom a conspicuous figure was a venerable looking 
Dunkard, whose long white beard gave him a patriarchal appear- 
ance. Saylor preached from the doorsteps from the words, 
*'The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was 
lost." Luke xix. lo. The Lord strengthened His servant, and 
a profound impression was made on the assembly. Before dis- 
missing them the preacher said, **Now you have heard me and 
can judge whether my doctrine is true or not, and if any one 
desires it, I will leave an appointment." The old Dunkard, whose 
name was Mover, then said, **Do you see that large stone house 
over yonder? That is my place. The house is well adapted for 
meetings, and you may leave an appointment with me. " Then 
the man at whose house Saylor had preached, said, **You are 
welcome to leave another appointment here." Another man 
said, **I live about three miles from here, in a good neighbor- 
hood, and if you give me an appointment, you can preach at my 
house, and I will make it known." This success was accepted 
as a token from God to the young preacher that he was called to 
preach the gospel. In due time he filled all the desired appoint- 
ments, and a gracious work of the Lord begun which resulted in 
the organization of a class. 



CHAPTER VI. 



ACROSS THE ALLEGHENIES. 

Establishment of the Evangelical Association in Western^ 
Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

In Miller's biography of Albright it is said that he visited 
Maryland and Virginia as early as 1796, and that he was per- 
mitted to preach in churches and school- and dwelling-houses. 
After years of careful research the author of this work was unable 
to recover definitely — with one exception — any of Albright's 
preaching places in Virginia. The localities visited may, how- 
ever, be assumed with some degree of certainty. Albright 
labored exclusively among the Pennsylvania Germans, large num- 
bers of whom had settled in the great valley between the South 
and the Blue Mountains, known in Pennsylvania as the Cumber- 
land and in Virginia as the Shenandoah Valley. 

A considerable number of Germans had settled near Ship- 
pensburg, at a place called '*The Pines"* (now Leesburg), where 
our work dates prior to the establishment of the Franklin Circuit 
in 1 8 10. About thirty-five miles south of the Pines, on the State 
Line, were also many Germans, nearly all of whom came from 
Lancaster county. Pa., where some of their friends are known 
to have received Albright. This serves as a connecting link. 
In the locality under consideration Albright was received by 
Leonard MiDDLEKAUFF,f who then lived several miles south of 
the State Line, in Washington county, Md. Others also doubt- 
less received him here, but their names are lost. 

Following the great valley into Virginia, we find a large colony 
of Germans in the vicinity of Woodstock, most of whom were 

*See "The Pines," Franklin Circuit, 
f See "State Line," Franklin Circuit. 



THE EAULT DATS. 125 

from Lancaster county, Pa., and had settled here prior to 1746.* 
This place was often visited by Boehm and Newcomer, and was 
also doubtless the point of Albright^s visits. North of this 
region, in Morgan and Berkley counties, W. Va., were also several 
colonies of Germans from Pennsylvania whom Albright visited, 
among them John Snyder and others, twelve miles east of 
Berkley Springs. 

In southwestern Pennsylvania the traces of Albright and 
co-laborers are more tangible. Near Mercersburg, Pa., there is 
-a gap in the Blue Mountains, leading to a narrow valley called 
** Little Cove." Here were a few German families who were 
visited by Albright. The preaching place was at G. Eisen- 
berger's, who died prior to 1835. His wife died in 1837, aged 
eighty-four years. Their place became a regular appointment 
when the circuit was formed in 1 810. John Eisenberger, their 
5on, entered the ministry in 182 1. 

In Bedford county Albright met with considerable success. 
On Will's Creek, near the present town of Hyndman, lived John 
and Mary Wilhelm. Here both Albright and his colleagues 
preached frequently. Wilhelm died in the early part of the 
century, but his widow survived until 1855, and was a true mother 
in Israel. Their house was a preaching place for nearly half a 
•century. 

In Morrison's Cove, near the village of New Enterprise, a con- 
siderable work was accomplished byALBRiGHT and his co-laborers. 
There seems to be no doubt that a class was formed here prior 
to 1808. In 1806 it was connected with Northumberland Cir- 
cuit, but was left unsupplied by Rev. George Miller, owing to 
its great distance. That Albright and Walter preached here 
during that year is proven by the fact that the conversion and 
membership of a number date to this period. The families 
who identified themselves with Albright and co-laborers were 
Stoll, Lyon, Schnebly (Snavely), Muhleisen (Milliron) and 
Kring. The homes of all were preaching places of Albright 
and co-laborers prior to 1806, with perhaps the exception of 
Milliron. George and Catharine Stoll were very highly 
esteemed. Their children were George, Catharine and Jacob^ 
all of whom became members of the Church in youth. George 
married Susan Schnebly, and later moved to Red Bank, Clarion 

•Spark'sWashington, Vol. II., p. 418. 



126 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

county, where he became one of the early pillars of our work. 
Catharine married a Barr and removed in 1830 to Richland 
county, O., where she died in 1866, aged seventy- two years. 
Jacob also removed to Ohio in 1832. His son John was for 
many years a leading minister in the Ohio Conference. Father 
S. died in Morrison's Cove in the first quarter of the century; 
his widow removed to Ohio with her children and died in Rich- 
land county in 1854, aged eighty-six years. 

Henry Schnebly and wife Elizabeth lived near Stoll*s, 
and received our preachers at the same time. Of their children,. 
Rudolf, John Henry, David and Susan became members of 
the Church. Father S. died at an early day, and his wife in 
1843, aged seventy years. Susan (Stoll), converted in 1806, 
died in 1873, aged seventy-seven years. ' David died in Johns- 
town, Pa., in 1 88 1. John H. removed across the Cove Mountain 
into the ** Dutch Corner," where for many years he was a promi- 
nent member. . He died in 1875. 

' Philip Muhleisen (Milliron) is not known to have been 
a professor of religion in the time of Albright, but received 
him. His wife Mary became a member in 1806. Later he also 
became a member. They removed to Jefferson county. Pa., 
where their home was one of the first preaching places. Father 
M. died in 1837, aged eighty- two years, and his widow in 1852 
at a very advanced age. Their son Abraham was a member in 
the early days, and was for many years a pillar on the Indiana 
Circuit. Of the family named Lyon we have not been able to 
gain any particulars. 

George Kring and wife Magdalena became members of the 
Church in Morrison's Cove in 1806, and the same year removed 
across the mountain into Cambria county, about ten miles east 
of Johnstown, to a place now called Elton, in a region then very 
sparsely settled. Into this wild, mountainous region Albright 
and Walter followed Kring and laid the foundation of our work 
west of the Allegheny Mountains. The following year Albright 
and Walter established several new preaching places in the 
vicinity, but no organization was effected, and after Albright's 
death but little more was accomplished until the advent of Dreis- 
bach and Hennig, in 18 13. Kring's place was for many years 
one of the chief points of the Association. His son Conrad 
entered the ministry in 1823, and for nearly half a century bore 
the hardships of an itinerant life, and had a worthy successor 



THE EARLY DATS. 127 

in his son, S. B. Kring.* George Kring die'd in 1844, aged 
seventy-eight years ; his wife died in 1853, aged eighty- three years. 

About four miles from Kring lived Jacob Stoll (a brother 
of George Stoll, of Morrison's Cove,) and wife Catharine. 
Their house became a preaching place, and both Albright and 
Walter are known to have preached here. Jacob Stoll never 
united with the church, but his wife and entire family did at a 
later day. Stoll died in 1832. His widow survived many years. 
The reader will find more particulars of this family farther on. 

About 1807 John Walter began to preach some miles north 
of Kring's at Wilmore. It is probable that Albright also vis- 
ited this place. Nicholas Varner lived four miles northeast 
of Johnstown, on the Frankstown Road. His son John, hearing 
that a strange preacher was to preach at Wilmore at a certain 
time, went to hear him. The preacher was the noted John 
Walter. The sermon had a remarkable effect upon the young 
man, who reported to his parents that he had heard *' a wonderful 
sermon, by a wonderful man, which made his hair stand up.''' 
This pleased his father very much, and he told his son that the 
next time he heard the man he should invite him down to preach 
at his house also. The next time Walter crossed the mountains 
young John Varner and his mother rode to Wilmore to hear him, 
and invited him to preach at their house, which he did, and the 
place became a regular appointment. Albright preached here 
but once. 

Walter's Beautiful Hymu. Most every member of the 
Church who has any knowledge of the German language is famil- 
iar with the hymn beginning, Kommty Bruedevy Kommt, wir 
eilen fort. This beautiful hymn was written by John Walter, 
Albright's first co-laborer, some time prior to 18 10, and is still 
very popular among the Pennsylvania Germans. The following 
account of its origin the author obtained from Rev. J. M. Saylor: 

*<When I was presiding elder of Salem District (1833) I was 
once brought across the mountains by Father Kring. When we 
came to a certain place he said to me, * Here, Brother Saylor, 
is where Brother Walter composed the hymn, Kommty Brueder^ 
Kommty wir eilen fort. ' " and them related the circumstances as 

* It is worthy of record that Savilla, daughter of Rev. S. B. Kring, and 
great-granddaughter of George Kring, became noted as the first female evan- 
gelist in the Evangehcal Association, and scores of souls were saved through her 
labors. She became the wife of Rev. C. C. PoLiNG, of the Oregon Conference. 



128 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

follows : '*Some time after Kring moved across the mountains 
(1806) Walter had an appointment to preach there. Kring 
had gone to a neighboring appointment and then piloted Walter 
across the mountains. A very deep snow had fallen, and Kring 
took the lead to break a path. After proceeding in this way for 
some time Walter called out, < Brother Kring, I have composed 
averse,' whereupon he repeated the first stanza of the famous 
hymn. Kring commended it and encouraged him to go on* 
Soon the second stanza followed, and so on until he had com- 
pleted the ten four-line stanzas of this grand hymn which has 
thrilled and cheered the hosts of our Israel for almost a century. 
When they arrived at Kring's house writing materials were fur- 
nished and the hymn was committed to paper. " 

Orgaulzatioii of Work West of the Alleghetiies. In 
the Spring of 1813 the conference took steps to follow up the work 
begun by Albright and colleagues in western Pennsylvania. 
Accordingly D. Yearlitz and John Klinefelter were sent to 
explore the region east of the mountains in Huntingdon and Bed- 
ford counties, and John Dreisbach and Adam Hennig were 
sent west of the mountains. The charges were named respectively 
Bedford and Somerset Circuits. In Huntingdon county no good 
foothold was obtained, and in the course of some years the work 
was discontinued entirely. 

Bedford County. The Evangelical work was established 
in Bedford county by Albright and co-laborers. A small class 
existed as early as 1806 in Morrison's Cove. Here lived the 
Stulls, Krings, Schneblys, Millirons and others. The mis- 
sionaries D. Yerlitz and John Klinefelter met with consid- 
erable success in 18 13 and organized several classes, one near 
Bedford, of which Jacob Eck was leader, another in the vicinity 
of Williamsburg, John Rickel ( i ) , leader. O ther preaching places 
were at the homes of George Cook, F. Rishel, Henry Hart- 
man, John Long (near Wellersburg), J. Harter, John Bowser, 
John Heltzel, M. Nichols, Peter Stiffler (2) and John 

Notes. — (i) John Rickel entered the ministry in 1816, traveled a number 
of years, removed to West Salem, Wayne county, O., where he died in 1859. 
His wife (second) died in 1879. She was converted under Albright at the 
Millbach, Lebanon county, Pa., in 1806. 

(2) Peter Stiffler lived three miles west of Newry, Blair county. It is 
thought that he was visited by Albright and colleagues. His house became 
a regular preaching place in 1813. He died in 1855. His granddaughter 
became the wife of Rev. I. A. Rohland, of the Pittsburg Conference. 



THE EARLY DATS. 129 

WiLHELM, the latter on Will's Creek, near the present town of 
Hyndman. As elsewhere noticed, Albright established the 
appointment as early as 1805. The first members in the 
*' Dutch Corner" were the Rickels, Heltzels, Schneblys and 
Earnsts (3). 

Somerset County. The first revival under the labors of 
the missionaries in 18 13 is thus described by Adam Hennig: 
<*In July Brother Dreisbach returned home because of family 
circumstances and I was left for a time alone, during which time 
I preached one Sunday in a barn six or seven miles east of 
Stoyestown, where the power of God was revealed in such a man- 
ner that many fell on their knees and began to plead earnestly 
for mercy. The same evening a number experienced salvation, 
whereupon I organized a class of twelve members" {Chr. Bot- 
schafter, 1844, page 39). Of this class a youth named Jacob 
Paul was made leader. His father had died a short time before, 
and he and his mother were left to care for themselves. Although 
but fifteen years of age when he became class-leader, he was far 
in advance of his years. A few years later he was licensed as a 
local preacher and became a strong pillar in the society. About 
the middle of the century he removed to Tazwell county. 111., 
where he died March 12, 1868, aged seventy-one years. Among 
other members of this first class were Brothers Joseph and Peter 
Bowman. The latter was the grandfather of Rev. H. J. Bowman, 
a prominent minister of the Church. Their homes were of the 
first preaching places, and in later years many camp-meetings 
were held on their farms. J. Metzler and wife Sarah and 
Christian Boyer and wife were also of the first. 

Soon after the ingathering near Stoyestown similar revivals 
took place in the vicinity of Somerset, Laurel Hill and Brother's 
Valley, and classes were formed at the latter two places. Henry 
WiEAND (i) became the leader of the Laurel Hill and Henry 
Meyer (2) of the Brother's Valley Class. Other leading mem- 
bers who were of the first in the neighborhood of Somerset and 

(3) The first church erected on the old missionary field was in the Sill and 
Earnst neighborhood, and was dedicated Nov. 28, 1841. 

Notes. — (i) Henry Weand, and wife Catharine, were converted in 
1813. He became a minister in 181 7. Both died in 1854, aged seventy-two 
and sixty-eight years respectively. 

(2) Henry Meyer became a minister in 1816, and died in 1882, 



130 EVANQELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Stoyestown were Samuel Witt (3) and wife Catharine, Conrad 
Zimmerman and wife Maria, Fred.Wegley and wife Catharine, 
John Emmert and wife Susan, Christian Emmert and wife 
Catharine, John Cobaugh and wife, John Hager (4) and wife 
and Daniel Lichty and wife. These people, with perhaps one 
or two exceptions, opened their houses as preaching places. 
Lichty's, especially, became a prominent place, and a church 
was erected here in 1848. 

Mention should also be made of John Puttman, who lived ia 
the * ' Glades ;" also of John Harb ach and wife Susan. H arb ach 
at an early day removed to West Salem, O., where his house 
became a very important appointment. He was a liberal and 
noble-hearted man, and one of the chief supports of the work in 
Ohio. He died in 1854, aged seventy-six years, and his wife in 
1874, aged ninety-one years. 

Martin Fichtner (5) and wife Susan, in the town of Berlin, 
were the first to receive the Evangelical preachers in that place 
in 1813. A class was formed here in after years, and the first 
Evangelical Church in Somerset county was erected here and 
dedicated Nov. 20, 1842. 

Great Revival. About 1830-32 there was an extensive 
ingathering of souls in Somerset county. Prominent among the 
converts were John Ferner and wife Susanna, and Abraham 
Ferner and wife Barbara. Their houses became preaching 
places, and many very successful camp-meetings were held on 
their land. At the house of John Ferner the special General 
Conference was held in 1836, at which time the printing estab- 
lishment was revived. John Ferner died in 1848, aged seventy- 
three years. Abraham Ferner later removed to Fairfield county, 
Ohio, where he died in 185 1, aged sixty-four years, A daughter 

(3) Samuel Witt entered the active ministry in 18 18, traveled several years, 
located because of failing health, died in Somerset in 1842, aged fifty-two years. 
His wife Catharine died in 1871, aged eighty-two years. 

(4) John Hager lived near Stoyestown. His house was a preaching place 
for many years. In 1846 Moses Bower, presiding elder of Potomac District, 
died of pneumonia at his house. A memorial church was erected here in his 
memory and dedicated Oct. 29, 1882. • 

(5) Their son, Dr. Daniel Fichtner, became a local preacher in 1832, 
and was for many years a prominent man in the Church. In 1835 he was married 
to Rebecca, daughter of John Ferner. In 1855, he removed to Cranesville, 
W. Va., where he was instrumental in establishing an Evangelical society. He 
died in 1884. 



THE EARLY DA Y8. 131 

-was the wife of Rev. J. G. Zinzer. Ulrick, Samuel, and 
Rudolf Ellenberger also at this time united with the Church 
and became pillars therein. The latter was the father of Revs. 
G. W. and D. P. Elllenberger. Nathan Long and family 
also became members at this time. A daughter, Barbara, mar- 
ried Michael Baumgardner, whose five sons became preachers. 
Daniel Long, a son of Nathan, entered the ministry in 1835, 
and became prominent. He removed to Fayette county, where 
his house became a preaching place. Here he died in 1852, 
aged sixty-two years. Joseph Brubaker was also one of the 
fruits of this ingathering, and became a pillar and great support. 
When he was taunted by the formalists that the Evangelicals 
would **eat him out of house and home," he was wont to say 
that the more he did for M<rw, the more the Lord did for him. 
When requested to "take'* the camp-meeting, he made it a sub- 
ject of prayer, and requested the Lord to indicate to him what 
course he should pursue. He opened his Bible at random and 
his eyes fell on the words, * * Now faith is the substance of things 
hoped for,'* etc. This he took as an indication that he should 
take the camp-meeting, and accordingly prepared his grove at 
his own expense. Here for many years the Evangelical hosts 
met in battle array against the enemy of souls and great numbers 
were converted, many of whom in after years became ministers. 
Jacob Sheaffer, a wealthy and influential man near Stoyestown, 
became a member about 1830. His was also a preaching and 
camp-meeting place for many years. A daughter became the 
wife of Rev. S. G. Miller. 

Jolm Seybert's Work. There has perhaps been no more 
eventful period in the history of the Evangelical work in Somerset 
county than 1829-30. John Seybert was presiding elder of the 
work in western Pennsylvania at this time. Some of the great revi- 
vals of this period are directly traceable to his quarterly meetings, 
which to him were not successful unless souls were saved. In 
August, 1830, he held a quarterly meeting in the bam of Simon 
Hangen, near Gebhartsville, which was accompanied by won- 
derful displays of the power of God, and a very large number 
were saved. A strong class was organized, of which Daniel 
Hangen was leader. The regular preaching places were at 
Daniel Hangen's and his brother Simon's (father of Rev. John 
Hangen) and at Frederick Cupp's, (father of Revs. G. W . and 
A. Y. Cupp). 



132 EVANGELICAL A8S0G1A TION ANNALS. 

Cambria County. The Evangelical work was establisned 
west of the Allegheny Mountains in Cambria county by Al- 
bright and his collegues, but no organization was effected. 
Owing to its isolation the region was visited irregularly until the 
establishment of the circuit in 1 8 1 3 . The appointments established 
by Albright and Walter in the vicinity of Johnstown, at Kring's, 
Stull's and Varner's, were maintained. The Cambria Class was 
organized sometime in 18 14. Following is a list of the original 
members, although several whose names are given may have 
became members a few years later : George Kring and wife 
Magdalena and their children: (i) Conrad, Jacob, Henry, 
John and Catharine (Baumgardner), Elizabeth Stull and 
son (2) John, Elizabeth Baumgardner and son Jacob (3) and 
daughter Elizabeth. Jacob Fye and wife Peggy and son Jacob 
{4) Conrad Fye (leader) and wife Lizzie and son Conrad, Jr. 
Also several of the Varners near Johnstown, and A. Peters 
and wife of Stoney Creek. In later years the Donmyers and 
Hershbergers were added and became pillars in the society. 

The first Evangelical camp-meeting in Cambria county was 
held on the land of Father Kring in 1824, and thereafter for 
many years, on the land of Mother Elizabeth Stull. 

Fayette Couilty^ In 18 13 the Evangelical missionaries 
gained entrance on Indian Creek and in Salt Lake township. 
The principal preaching places were at the houses of James Ful- 
ton, Daniel Senff, Abraham Davis and J. Bernd. A camp- 
meeting was held on the land of the latter in the Spring of 1822, 
at which time he died on the camp-ground at the age of 6^ years. 

The first church of the Ev. Association in Fayette county was 
erected in 1847. 

The Evangelical preachers gradually pushed their way north- 
westward to the head waters of the Susquehanna river. In 1822 
Jacob Baumgardner and his colleague, Joseph Long, (after- 
wards Bishop) visited the German settlements of Indiana county. 
In Brush Valley lived a large number who had emigrated thither 
from York county. Among them were the families Bowmaster, 
Enders, Frey, Miller, and Oberdorf. A number of them had 
been converted and brought into the society through the first 
Evangelical preachers in York county, in 1 8 1 o. (See Freysville. ) 
A considerable revival took place in Brush Valley under the labors 
of Baumgardner and Long, and a class was formed at Mechan- 
icsburg. In the early days Brush Valley was famous for its 



THE EARLY DAYS. 133 

camp-meetings which were mostly held on tne land of John 
Oberdorf. At one of these meetings, in 1840, over forty souls 
were converted, among whom was Joseph Truby, (i) who be- 
came a minister the following year. 

In the first quarter of the century the Evangelical preachers 
also found open doors in Westmoreland county. The chief 
appointments were in Ligonier Valley, near Donegal and West 
Newton. The house of Jacob Dietz was one of the first preach- 
ing places and Evangelical headquarters for the valley for many 
years. The work was also established in the counties of Mercer, 
Clarion, Armstrong, Clearfield, Venango, and Jefferson, prior 
to 1835. This entire region was constituted a field of labor in 

1832, and called Indiana Circuit. This great charge, extending 
over a half dozen counties in a mountainous region was one of 
the most extensive and difficult fields to travel within the bounds 
of the Church. 

Several preaching places in Mercer county have already been 
noted in connection with John Seybert's missionary labors in 

1833. In Rockland the chief point was the house of Mathias 
DoMER, father of Rev. G. S. Domer, and Rev. J. D. Domer, 
and grandfather of Bishop W. M. Stanford. 

In Clarion county a chief appointment was near Shippens- 
ville. Andrew Weaver and John Alsbach (2) were of the 
first to receive the preachers. Camp-meetings were held on their 
lands for many years. 

In Armstrong county two of the chief places were Henry 
Shaffner's, in Red Bank township, and John Fleisher's. (3) 
In 1837 camp-meeting was held on Shaffner's place, and many 
times thereafter. The first camp was held at Fleisher's in 1839. 

In Clearfield county the chief appointment was at or near 
Burnside. In Venango county, the home of Samuel Dreibel- 
Bis, Esq., was an important place in the early days, and in the 
vicinity of Agnew's Mills a good work was established. 

In Jefferson county Abraham Milliron's(4) place was an im- 

BiOGRAPHiCAL NoTES. — (i) JosEPH Truby entered the active ministry in 
1841, and became a very successful preacher. He died in 1856. 

(2) John Alsbach, one of the pillars of the old Indiana Circuit, died in 1850. 

(3) John Fleisher was converted in Dauphin county under the preaching 
of Albright, in 1805. See his interesting letter in Chapter II., paragraph 
" Hanover. ' ' 

(4) The parents of Abraham Milliron received Albright in Bedford county, 
in 1805-7. vSee " Morrison's Cove." He died in 1851, aged sixty-three years. 



134 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TTOK ANNALS. 

portant point. The first camp-meeting of the church in Jefferson 
county was held on his place in 1835, and many others after- 
wards. In the vicinity of Brookville, Punxsutawney and Sum- 
merville societies were established. 

Old-time Circuit Riding. The following account of the 
appointments on Somerset Circuit in 1832, when it embraced all 
the missionary territory of 18 13, is from the pen of Joseph Har- 
LACHER, who began his ministry there that year, with Daniel 
Kehr as his senior colleague. He says : **I commenced in the 
Conemaugh neighborhood, about ten miles east of Johnstown. 
Here lived George Kring, father of Conrad Kring, who was 
an itinerant preacher, and several families named Stull and 
Baumgardner. Samuel Baumgardner, who started in the 
ministry with me, was born here. From here we went into 
Somerset county, in the neighborhood of A. Ferner. We 
preached in houses of John Emmert, J. Met^ler, Ellenberger, 
John Cobaugh, etc. From here I crossed the Laurel Hill into 
Fayette county, and preached at the houses of Abraham Davis, 
Kahler, William Senff, and others. Then in a southern direc- 
tion back over the Laurel Hill to H. Weand, Daniel Hangen, 
and Nathan Long. This man was not yet converted, but he 
and his son (Daniel)* were converted this year, and the son 
afterwards became a preacher. (1835. See biography. ) From 
here to Widow Movers (of Rev. Henry Meyers), then to Father 
Smith, then to Somerset, to Samuel Witt, who was a local 
preacher, and was at this time sheriff. Then north (of Somerset) 
to D. Lichty's, and (Rev. Jacob) Paul's, etc. (N. E. of Stoyes- 
town). My next trip led me east over the Allegheny and Cove 
Mountains, into Bedford county, when I preached at the house 
of a Stull, (Morrison's Cove.) Then towards the city of Bed- 
ford to M. Nichols, and John Heltzel's (Dutch Comer). 
From here south through Bedford, down the Cumberland Valley 
road (fifteen to twenty miles south of Bsdford) to H. Hartman's. 
Then westward in different houses of Wilhelm's, (on Wills 
Creek, near Hyndman) J. Harter's John Bowser's and then 
again across the Allegheny to Fichtner's (Martin Fichtner's, 
at Berlin), and Mover's, and several other places. We also 
had a preaching place near Stoyestown by a man named (Jacob) 
Shaeffer, and others, (Peter, and Joseph Bowman). Then to 

* Notes in brackets by the Author. 



THE EARLY BATS. 135 

John Emmert's, where my colleague and I met to exchange 
appointments. In one round I had to preach in four counties. 
We had thirty-two preaching places, all in private houses except 
one, which was in a school-house. I had to preach every even- 
ing in the week except Saturday, and sometimes then also, and 
twice on Sunday. In August, 1832, I traveled on horseback 274 
miles and preached thirty-three times. The first twelve months 
of my itineracy I rode on horseback 3,300 miles." 

Developttieiit of Work in Virginia. In 18 15 Thomas 
Bruer, and J. Dehoff, who served Franklin Circuit, which 
embraced the work in Western Maryland, extended the field into 
Morgan and Berkley counties, (now) W. Va. In i8i5-i6a 
class was formed on Timber Ridge, Morgan county. Here lived 
Adam Hinkel and wife Christina. They, with their family, 
became members at this time, and one of the daughters became 
the wife of Thomas Bruer. Adam Borer and John Yost and 
families were also members, and their houses were preaching 
places. Twelve miles east of Berkley Springs a small class was 
formed of which the principal member was John Snyder. An- 
other class was formed on Back Creek, where lived Jacob Shimp, 
an excellent man, strong in prayer, and a fine singer. In 1834 
he entered the ministry and traveled a number of years. He 
died in 1870, aged seventy-six years. Along Sleepy Creek a 
class was formed. The principal members were Daniel Cough- 
enour, J. Reser, Father Nichols, a Revolutionary soldier, and 
Nicholas Caw, a soldier of the War of 18 12. The house of the 
latter was for many years a preaching place, as was also that of 
Jacob Kerper, who, with his family, were excellent members. In 
181 7 the work in Virginia was detached from Franklin Circuit and 
constituted Berkley Circuit. Little progress was made for some 
years after this, and in 1823 it was served by Joseph Long and J. 
C. Reisner in connection with Franklin Circuit. The charge was 
called Franklin and Berkley Circuit until 1830, when it was again 
divided. In 1834 the name was changed to Shenandoah Circuit. 
In 1826-27 John Hamilton greatly extended the work in Fred- 
ick, Shenandoah and Hardy counties. About 1830 our preachers 
met with considerable success near Woodstock, Shenandoah 
county. The men who received them were W. Funkhouser, 
William and Larry W. Seibert. A few years later two sons 
of the latter, James L. W. and Samuel W. Seibert entered the 
ministry and became prominent. In Cedar Creek Valley there 



136 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

was a class, and in Trout Run Valley, Hardy county, two classes 
were formed. Prominent members were William Sager (father 
of Rev. George Sager), and Abraham, Jacob and John Heigh- 
MAN, the former of whom became a local preacher. 

In Quaker Hollow, Hampshire county, a good class was 
formed, whose leading members were George Wolf, Enoch 
Parks and Jonathan Pownell, a soldier of the War of 1812.* 
At Tare Coat, five miles from Romney, another class was formed. 
Leading men, H. Haines, J. Shinkelton and Father Poling, 
whose two sons, William and Daniel, became ministers, the 
latter being the father of Rev. C. C. Poling, of the Oregon 
Conference. 

In the proceedings of the West Pa. Conference for 1839 and 
1840, the work once so promising in Virginia does not appear 
on the published records, but was nevertheless served by D. N. 
Long. In 1841 it appears again as Virginia Circuit, with M. 
Bower as preacher, who served it two years; 1843, D. N. Long; 
1844, J. Shimp and N. Schlosser; 1845, N. Schlosser and W. 
Plannett; 1846, Geo. Cupp and C. Miller; 1847, D. N. Long 
and C. Miller; 1848, W. B. Gregg and Geo. Hunter. In 
1849 the work was again divided and called Morgan, and Shen- 
andoah Circuit. Chas. Miller was appointed to the former, 
and W. B. Gregg to the latter field. In 1850 Preston Circuit 
was formed. 

The breaking out of the Civil War had an immediate and 
disastrous effect on the interests of our Church in Virginia, as 
the sections embraced by the fields of labor became the scene of 
the early conflicts in 186 1. At the conference session of 1861, 
Shenandoah Circuit, once so prosperous, was abandoned, and 
Morgan and Preston Circuits were consolidated and left for the 
presiding elder to supply, if possible. In 1862 it was supplied 
by conference, but not in 1863, '64 and '65, In 1866 Morgan 
and Preston Circuits were again separately supplied. Since then 
the work has recovered somewhat in Virginia. 

*Bro. Pownell died in 1878, aged ninety-four years. Our preachers vis- 
ited him as early as 1818. 



CHAPTER VII, 



PUSHING WESTWARD. 

The Evangelical Work Established in Ohio by Hennig, 
Shower, the Klinefelters and Others — First Preach- 
ing Places — The Laity. 

Work in Ohio. The Evangelical work in Ohio and the 
more distant West is the result of a true missionary spirit in the 
Association when it was still in its infancy. Thither the sturdy 
Pennsylvanians flocked by thousands in quest of new homes, 
many of whom were members of the Association. These early 
members had a great desire that the Evangelical preachers should 
follow them, -a wish which their friends in the East were equally 
desirous of gratifying. This was especially the case with Abra- 
ham Ever, of Dry Valley, Pa., who had a special interest in 
Ohio. In 1806 two of his sons-in-law, Philip and Daniel Hoy, 
removed thither, and their wives were the first members of the 
society in that State. In 18 10 another son-in-law, Martin 
Dreisbach, removed thither also. In June, 18 16, the conference 
was held at the house of Father Ever. His sons-in-law, Revs. 
John Dreisbach and Henry Niebel, were then the leading men 
of the Church. The former was president and the latter secre- 
tary of the conference. After a full discussion, it was decided 
to send two men to Ohio, and Adam Hennig and Fred. Shower 
were chosen for the work. They were both young and vigorous, 
and the Church had every reason to anticipate that the under- 
taking would be successful. To Hennig was assigned the eastern 
portion of the State, while Shower was directed to labor in the 
interior. As churches were then almost unknown in the western 
wilds, the pioneers dedicated their houses to the service of God 
as preaching places. 



138 EVANQELICAL A880C1ATI0N ANFALS. 

CautOll Circuit. Immediately after his appointment as 
missionary to Ohio, Adam Hennig, after visiting his parents in 
Penn's Valley, Pa., returned to Bedford county, where he was 
united in marriage to Catharine Rishel, whose parents were 
among the first to receive him when he was sent across the Alle- 
ghenies as missionary in 1813. His journey to Ohio and his 
commencement of the work there is thus described by himself 
in a letter dated Bristol, O., July 2, 1844: 

**In June, 18 16, I took my departure from Bedford, Pa., and 
traveled by way of Washington and Wheeling to Charleston, 
Va. (now West Virginia). Here I crossed the Ohio River, and 
by way of Mt. Pleasant and Cadiz, arrived at New Philadelphia, 
O. About eight miles northwest from here I met a family of 
friends from Pennsylvania who had arrived the day before, and 
our meeting afforded us mutual joy. An appointment for me to 
preach was immediately circulated, and that evening I preached 
my introductory sermon in a little log house (text: I. Pet. iv. 8) 
to a number of orderly and attentive people, who all seemed glad 
to hear the Gospel in the German language. The blessing of 
God was with us. Encouraged by these promising circumstances, 
I concluded to establish my field of labor from this point, and 
traveled from here to Wooster and Mansfield. From here I 
turned and traveled to Canton and New Lisbon, and thence back 
again to New Philadelphia. In a short time I had formed a 
great circuit, about 400 miles around, and consisting of thirty 
to forty appointments. Open doors and hearts I found every- 
where, and soon there was a general inquiry awakened *What 
must we do to be saved ? '* 

** Already in the Autumn of this year I began the formation 
of classes, and by the next conference session I had taken up 
from sixty to seventy members. No one, however, can imagine 
the discomforts which the new settlers and the preachers who 
traveled among them endured. I will not easily forget the heavy 
and toilsome journeys which I was compelled to make on my 
extensive circuit. Many days from one appointment to the other 
I had no better road than narrow and obscure Indian trails. And 
many roads in general led through swamps and deep morasses, 
where both man and beast were often imperiled. But few bridges 
had then been built, and more than once I was thoroughly 
drenched by the swollen streams, which I ventured to cross by 



THE EARLY DATS. 139 

swimming my horse, at the risk of my life. Still a merciful 
Providence preserved me. 

'*Some of the friends who entertained me had but recently 
moved into the forest and had neither field, stable nor provender, 
so that I was often necessitated to put a bell to my horse's neck 
and turn him loose to feed in the woods during the night. At 
first I was anxious lest he might stray away, but he soon became 
accustomed to it, and seldom went far away from the dwelling, 
so that I generally had but little trouble to find him. 

*' Twenty-eight years have passed by since I first traveled 
through this section, and Oh what a change do I behold ! Every- 
thing has a different aspect, not only in the natural, but also in 
the spiritual. Where dense and dark forests stood, are now 
beautiful fields of thickly-standing corn. Where for many miles 
no house was visible, I now see palatial residences, and the wil- 
derness I see changed into cities and villages, well provided with 
churches, in some of which I have the pleasure of preaching. 
Where narrow and swampy foot-paths led, are now substantial 
roads, while good and safe bridges everywhere span the streams. 
But best of all, many of the people who were as rough as the 
original country, are now converted and lead a zealous life. 
How cheering it is to meet here and there some of the aged 
pilgrims who have battled for the Lord for many years, and 
though they go bowed, with staff in hand, yet they are blooming, 
fruitful and fresh. Many others whom I knew are no more. 
Who am I, that I still stand on Zion's walls ? Soon, soon my 
work under the sun will also cease. * When a few years are come, 
then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.* Job xvi. 22." 

With regards to the family who first received Hennig in the 
wilderness, we have the following from J. M. Saylor, who ten 
years later (1826) preached in that locality: *'The family was 
from Penn's Valley, Centre county. Pa. , and well acquainted with 
Hennig. The day after their arrival in the forest the family 
began to lament that they were so far removed from the means of 
grace and our preachers. The father comforted them by telling 
them that they would not very long be deprived of these bless- 
ings. While this conversation was in progress a lonely horseman 
was seen coming through the forest. * There,* said the father, 
* comes our preacher now ! ' Sure enough, it was the missionary, 
and despondency gave way to joy. By the campfire they partook 
of a frugal repast together, and then the family scoured the forest 



140 B VANOELIGAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

to bring the settlers together for preaching that night in a neigh- 
boring cabin. " 

Truly this was an humble beginning. But as we survey the 
three-quarters of a century that have passed by and also the 
grand results achieved, we are led to say, **This is the Lord*s 
doing. It is marvelous in our eyes." Ps. cxviii. 23. 

Wayne County. In Wayne County the preaching places 
were numerous, but their names can not all be recovered. Some 
of the principal appointments were in the vicinity of Wooster, 
Hence when the Canton Circuit was divided, about ten years 
after its formation, the new charge was called Wooster Circuit. 
Near Wooster lived Henry Rauch, in whose house was held the 
first Evangelical conference in Ohio, in 1827, where also the first 
ordination took place. Near Bristol lived P. Stroh, who had 
removed thither from Fishing Creek Valley, Pa., where he and 
his brother had been influenced by the ministry of Albright. 
In later years one of his sons entered the Ohio Conference. J. 
Hegermans was an important place. Through a camp-meeting 
held there in 1828 a new impetus was given to our work in Ohio, 
after years of stagnation. Hegerman and his wife Sarah were 
among the first members of our Church. She, at least, was con- 
verted under the preaching of Albright. (She died, a widow, 
in 1848, aged sixty-five years.) In 181 7 Rev. Jacob Vander- 
SALL, removed from Cumberland county. Pa., to Wayne county,^ 
Ohio, and his house became a preaching place. (See ** Pines."} 

The house of Peter Hennig, a brother of the missionary, 
was an original preaching place, and for years a point of great 
importance for camp and general meetings. Hennig was con- 
verted under Albright in Penn*s Valley, Pa., in 1806. He died 
in 1873, aged eighty- two years. Also John Vetters (died ia 
1854, aged sixty-one); John Herbach, from Somerset county. 
Pa. ; A. Shilling, at whose house the first general meeting in the 
West was held in 18 18; and a few years later his brother Rev. 
John Shilling (i); Rev. Abraham Huth; P. Strayer; M. 
Reidinger, and later, at West Salem, Rev. John Reigel (2) 
and Fred. Borauff (3). The home of Jacob Lehr was also aa 

Biographical Notes. — (i) John Shilling entered the ministry in 1816. 
He traveled about five years, mostly in Ohio, then located. 

(2) John Reigel was licensed in 1816, and traveled a number of years ; 
died, 1859. 

(3) Fred. Borauff was licensed in 1822, traveled a number of years and 
settled near West Salem, Ohio, where he died. 



THE EARL T DA TS. 141 

important place. Lehr was from Manheim, Pa., where he was 
converted in 1810, through the instrumentality of John Seybert, 
who was then a class-leader. He died in 1846, aged seventy- 
years. Rev. Adam Hennig, the missionary, maintained an ap- 
pointment at his place for many years. Other appointments on 
the old Canton Circuit were at the homes of J. Row, the founder 
of Rowsburgh, Ashland county, Ohio ; Gabriel Putman, an ear- 
nest, liberal man who died at Wilmot, Stark county, in 1882, 
aged eighty-eight, and who made a liberal bequest to the Orphan 
Home. 

Stark Couilty. In Stark county the Evangelical mission- 
aries met with good success. At (now) Greensburg, Summit 
county, a class was formed, the appointments being as follows : 
At the home of Conrad Dillman, who in 181 5 had removed 
from Penn's Valley, Pa. He was converted in 1806, and became 
a member of the Church in 181 1. He welcomed the mission- 
aries with open arms, and for many years his home was a preach- 
ing place. Michael Dillman, a son of Conrad, was also one 
of the first members, and became a pillar in the Church. In 1849 
he removed to Plainfield, 111., where he died in 186 1, aged sixty- 
three years. Mary, a daughter of Conrad D. , became the wife 
of Rev. Adam Kleinfelter. Abraham Willhelm, an old mem- 
ber of the Church, had come from Pennsylvania near the same 
as Dillman, and his house also was one of the first preaching 
places. J. Kreitz's place became noted for camp-meetings, 
where very many persons were converted, of whom a large num- 
ber became ministers. Among these was Rev. J. J. Kopp, who 
became one of the most prominent men of the Church. His 
parents, John and Christina Kopp, were also converted near 
the same time and opened their house as a preaching place. In 
1822 Rev. Abraham Ream and wife Anna Maria, removed hither 
from Penn's Valley, and their place became a noted point. The 
father of Ream was one of the first in Penn's Valley to receive 
Albright. The society at Greensburgh became one of the most 
flourishing in Ohio, and had the honor of entertaining, in 1843, 
the first General Conference consisting of elected delegates. 
About eight miles north of Canton lived W. Wise, from Centre 

Note. — Rev. J. J. Kopp was born in Germany, 1805, entered the Western 
Conference in 1832, and at once took high rank as an earnest minister of the 
Gospel. He was elected presiding elder in 1839; re-elected in 1845 and 1849; 
located in 1866; died at Lafayette, Ohio, Jan. 27, 1889, aged eighty-three years. 



142 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

county, Pa., whose house was a preaching place. In 1819 the 
^rst camp-meeting of our Church in Ohio was held on his land. 

Columbiaiia County. In Columbiana county the first 
preachers of the Association gained a strong foothold in Salem 
township and a society was formed in the vicinity of New Lisbon. 
The house of Peter Miller was one of the first preaching places 
and some of the first conversions took place there. Miller died 
in 1843. Other important points were the homes of Joseph 
Gangawer, who died in 1843, aged sixty-nine, and Daniel Gil- 
bert. In 1 8 1 8 Killian Long, from Dauphin county, Pa. , opened 
his house as a preaching place, and some of his children were 
converted about this time, among them Joseph, who soon after- 
wards entered the ministry of the Church, and rose to the office 
of bishop. Their daughter Anna Barbara became the wife of 
Rev. George Mattinger. Killian Long died in 1842, aged 
eighty years, and his wife Barbara in 1836, aged sixty-six years. 

Tuscarawas County* In Tuscarawas county the work was 
very weak and no organization was effected by the missionaries. 
In 1832 Charles Hammer, while traveling through this region, 
met David Ressler and wife Rachel. They had been mem- 
bers in Pennsylvania, and had lately removed to this place. A 
regular appointment was at once established here, and a class 
formed soon afterwards. Their son Jacob became a minister in. 
the Ohio Conference. 

Another important point was the house of Henry Kretzer 
and wife Sarah. They were converted in Berks county. Pa., 
under the labors of Albright and co-laborers, and removed to 
this place, where they were among the first members of the Church. 
Through their instrumentality a society was. organized and a 
church built. Kretzer died in 1844, aged sixty-one years. 

Fairfield County. In the Spring of 18 16 Fred. Shower 
entered the Scioto Valley, Ohio, to begin his work. We first find 
him in a settlement of Pennsylvania Germans, twelve miles north- 
west of Lancaster. Here liver the brothers Philip and Daniel 
Hoy, who had married Lizzie and Molly Ever, respectively, 
daughters of Abraham Ever, Esq., of Dry Valley, Pa. The 
parents of the Hoys and their wives were among the chief sup- 
porters of Albright. The Hoys emigrated to Ohio in 1806, 
and their wives were the first members of the Church, so far as 
known, in the State. On their way out, Catharine, the four- 
year-old daughter of Daniel and Molly, fell from the wagon. 



THE EARLY DATS. 143 

which passed over her head and almost killed her. She, how- 
ever, recovered and afterwards became the wife of Joseph Long, 
second bishop of the Church. Daniel Hoy's was the first preach- 
ing place of the Scioto or Lancaster Circuit, and the first class 
was organized here the following year (1817). Both Philip and 
Daniel became members at this time. Daniel Hoy's was espe- 
cially noted for general and camp-meetings. The first camp- 
meeting of the circuit was held here in 1822. 

About twenty miles east of Hoy's, and about eight miles from 
Lancaster, was another settlement of Pennsylvanians, mostly from 
York county, among them was George Swartz, whose wife 
Elenore was a member of a prominent family named Seitz, who 
were among the first to receive the Evangelical preachers in York 
county, near Strassburgh, now Shrewsbury. On a farm adjoin- 
ing Swartz lived his brother-in-law Henry Einsel, whose wife 
was Barbara Seitz. They had moved to the Western wilds in 
1805. A few years later two more brothers-in-law arrived. They 
were Henry Keller and Joseph Leib, married to Catharine 
and Elizabeth Seitz, respectively. They located a consider- 
able distance from Swartz. The pioneer of this colony was 
Lewis Seitz, a brother of the above women. He had settled 
here in 1801, about midway between Swartz and Einsel, and 
Keller and Leib. Besides the foregoing families, there were 
others from the same locality who will be noticed hereafter. 

The news of Showers' arrival at Hoy's soon spread, and 
George Swartz traveled twenty miles to hear him. Being well 
pleased he invited Showers to preach at his house, which he did, 
with the gratifying result that through Swartz all the other rela- 
tives named also opened their door to the new preacher, and 
their homes became regular preaching places. 

In the Autumn of 18 16 Rev. John Seitz, of York county. 
Pa., visited his above named brother and sisters. During this 
visit he did all he could to further the good work begun among 
his friends and relatives. On one occasion he preached at the 

Biographical Notes. — Philip Hoy died in 1823, aged fifty-three years. 
His wife Elizabeth died in 1850, aged seveuty-three years. Their family of 
ten children became members of the Church. Two daughters married preachers. 

Daniel Hoy died in 1871, aged ninety years, his wife Molly in 1863, aged 
eighty-four years. Their entire family became members of the Church. Catha- 
rine became the wife of Bishop Long. 

Rev. Samuel Hoy, for many years a prominent member of the Ohio Con- 
ference, and Rev. John Hoy, are grandsons of Daniel Hoy. 



144 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

house of George Swartz, when the power of God was signally 
manifested, and three young women were converted. This made 
a deep impression on the community, and prepared the way for 
the ingathering the following year. Showers extended his work 
through Fairfield county, and also found open doors in the coun- 
ties of Franklin, Ross and Pickaway. He visited and preached 
in the houses of most of the families enumerated hereafter. He 
was generally esteemed and acceptable, and might have been 
very successful, had he not yielded to influences which led him 
to abandon his work. He, however, retained a warm friendship 
for the Church of his youth, and had no rest until, years after- 
wards (1827), he was again received, and died in the Evangeli- 
cal fold. 

In 181 7 John and Adam Klinefelter, of Strausburg, York 
county. Pa., were sent to develop this great and promising field. 
They were well acquainted with many of the settlers and were 
welcomed in the homes of many. They resumed the work where 
Showers had dropped it, extending its borders into Hocking 
county. 

We have already seen that a work of grace was commenced at 
George Swartz's in the Fall of 18 16. He and his wife were 
converted, and he began holding prayer-meetings, keeping the 
work alive until the arrival of the Klinefelters. Soon there- 
after Adam K. preached at the house of Swartz. A young man 
named Henry Downey (i), who sat near the preacher, was 
brought to a deep sense of his lost condition, fell upon his knees, 
and began to plead for mercy. After a remarkable penitential 
struggle he was gloriously saved. He was soon after licensed as 
a local preacher, 

George Swartz was one of the strong supports of the work 
in Ohio, and contributed in no small degree to its success. Fa- 
ther Loehner says: **My earliest recollections of these things 
carry me back about seventy years. In my mind I can see Fa- 
ther George Swartz on his gray horse *Bob,' in company with 

BiOGRAHiCAL NoTE. — (i) Henry Downky was bom in Maryland in 1800. 
When a youth his parents removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he was con- 
verted when eighteen years of age. Three years later he was licensed to preach, 
and later removed to Seneca county. He was a man of considerable ability and 
exemplary piety. The last five years of his life he spent in the active ministry 
of the Ohio Conference. His last charge was St. Joseph mission, in Michigan, 
where he died at his post, Nov. 11, 1852. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 145 

the preacher, coming from Rush Creek to my father's house on 
Raccoon, where we had preaching in the evening. " Swartz was 
called to his reward in 1821, and his wife in 1847. Their whole 
family of ten children became useful members of the Church. 

Joseph Swartz, eldest son of the foregoing, was one of the 
converts of 181 7. He was married to Catharine Beery. They 
had a large family, all of whom became members of the Church. 
He worthily took the place of his deceased father, and his house 
became a preaching place and a home for the itinerant. In course 
of time he removed to a place where the Church was not repre- 
sented, and there also his house became a preaching place. His 
devotion to the Church was well rewarded, as a class was soon 
formed, and a little later a church was built, called Mt. Tabor, 
four miles east of Lancaster. This place became a stronghold, 
where revivals took place and many of the converts became min- 
isters. Andrew Swartz, the youngest son of Joseph, entered 
the ministry of the Ohio Conference in 1857, and became noted 
as a revivalist. George Swartz, Jr., son of the pioneer, be- 
came class-leader at Rush Creek at an early day, and was for 
many years a pillar in the society. His son Simon entered the 
ranks of the Ohio Conference in 1857, and rendered many years 
of service in Ohio, Illinois, and Kansas. Daniel Swartz, an- 
other son of the pioneer, entered the ative ministry of the Ohio 
Conference in 1835, and rendered effective service to the work. 
He died in 1891, aged eighty-five years. 

The relatives of Swartz, Henry Keller, Joseph Leib, and 
Lewis Seitz, already referred to, also received the Evangelical 
preachers in 181 6-1 7, and their houses were preaching places 
for a number of years. 

Henry Einsel lived on a farm adjoining his brother-in-law, 
George Swartz. He died in 18 14, two years before the advent 
of the Evangelical preachers. The widow opened her house as 
a preaching place for our first missionaries. She was well known 
throughout our Western work because of her zeal and hospitality. 
She raised a large family of children, who became an honor to 
her and the Church. In a beautiful grove on her land were held 
a number of camp-meetings remarkable for their power. In 1842 
a church was built near the camp ground, one of the first of the 
society in Ohio, and an important point in the early history of 
the work in that State. Mother Einsel was called to her reward 
in 1857. Her son John was one of the pillars of the old Lan- 



146 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNAL8, 

caster Circuit, serving many years as a class-leader. Lewis, a 
younger son, entered the ministry. 

On Raccoon Creek the first Evangelical preachers were re- 
ceived by George Loehner and wife Catharine. They had 
emigrated thither from Virginia in 1814. Their home was a 
preaching place for many years and they lived to see the Evan- 
gelical work established. Several of their sons became eminent 
in the society. Father L. died in 185 1, aged eighty-one, and 
Mother L. in 1874, aged ninety-five years. Their son Abraham, 
born in Virginia in 181 2, was converted in youth, entered the 
ministry of the Ohio Conference in 1837, and rendered many 
years of service in the Master's cause. 

On Walnut Creek the Evangelical preachers found preaching 
places at the homes of J. Knepper, several families named Pon- 
tius, Adam Klahr, (died in 187 1, aged eighty-nine) one of the 
most earnest and consecrated members in Ohio, and John Bright 
(Brecht), in Liberty township. (Died in 1853, aged sixty-six 
years. ) 

In 1829 a remarkable series of camp-meetings commenced on 
the land of John Brecht. For thirteen years in succession the 
Evangelical hosts gathered here, and great victories were achieved. 
Sometimes scores of souls were at the altar, some of whom be- 
came ministers. Brecht's house was always a royal home for 
the itinerants. When the lamented young preacher, Wm. Berk- 
heimer, broke down, after five years of itinerant work, he found 
here such a home as is seldom found even under a parental roof. 
Here this servant of the Lord died in 1840, at the age of twenty- 
six years. Not far from this locality lived John Miller, Sr. 
He also received our first preachers ; his house became a regular 
preaching place ; most of his family united with the Church, and 
four of his sons opened their houses as preaching places. The 
session of the Western Conference was held at his house in 1833. 
(Died in 1856, aged seventy-eight years.) 

In the early part of the century Jos. Miesse removed from 
Bern township, Berks county, Pa., and settled four or five miles 
north of Lancaster, Ohio, where his house became one of the 
noted preaching places of Lancaster Circuit for general and 
camp-meetings. (Died in 1859, aged seventy-one years. ) Other 
important preaching places, some as early as 18 16, were at the 
homes of J. Flick, Mich. Bravtigam, (died in 1841, aged seventy 
years) Daniel Hoddel, J. Lidel, Ulrick Wagoner, (a Swiss) 



THE EARL Y DA T8. 147 

and Rev. Shem Sager. (Died in 185 7, aged seventy-one years. ) 

The appointments thus far noticed were all in Fairfield county. 
South of this region, in Hocking county, some of the first preach- 
ing places were at Benj. Bucher's, John Gass' and G. Zellers*, 
and in Ross county at the home of Lorentz Bernhart, a strong 
pillar of the early work, who had come from York county, Pa., 
where he was converted in 1809. (Died in 1842, aged sixty-six 
years.) The Buchwalters, who came to Ross county in 1820, 
were converted under Albright in the beginning of his ministry. 
They lived in Berks county. Pa., not far from the Colbrookdale 
furnace, and with their wives were members of Liesser's Class, 
one of the first three classes organized by Albright in 1800. 
John Buchwalter, a son of Abraham, and a prominent and 
useful man, was married to Susan Dreisbach, a sister of Rev. 
John Dreisbach, and in 1827 they removed from Buffalo Valley, 
Pa., to Hallsville, where they received our preachers. He died 
in 1872, aged eighty-five years, and his wife in 188 1, aged eighty- 
seven years. 

Twelve miles east of Chillicothe lived Martin Dreisbach, 
a cousin of Rev. John D., whose wife was Anna Ever, a daugh- 
ter of Abraham Ever, of Dry Valley, Pa. Both were converted 
under Albright, removed to Ohio, and were among the first to 
receive our preachers in 181 6-1 7. Jacob Stump and Father 
Weaver, at Adelphia, and the Bernharts and John Adam 
Gates, at Dry Run, opened their homes to our preachers. Father 
Gates died in 1840, at an advanced age. His son, Peter Gates, 
entered the gospel ministry. 

In Franklin county some of the first families of the Church, 
whose homes were preaching places, were the following : John 
Bishop and his noble wife Mary; Samuel Riegel and wife 
Sarah ; J. Neiswander (for many years class-leader. Died in 
1872, aged eighty-six years.) and wife; D. Zwicker and wife; 
H. Stouffer (local preacher) and wife ; Peter Quinn and wife, 
(converted under Albright in 1806; removed to Ohio at an 
early day; died in 1862, aged seventy-six years). Most of the 
foregoing resided on Rocky Fork. 

In Pickaway county our first preachers were received by 
Samuel and Henry Dreisbach, and Leonard Wolf (all from 
Buffalo Valley, Pa.), Mich. Whistler (died in 1864, aged 
seventy-five years), and several families named Mover. At a 
later day, Solomon Zinzer and family were converted, and his 



148 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

home became an important place. A son, J. G. Zinzer, became 
one of the most prominent ministers of the Church (Zinzer died 
in 1847, aged sixty-nine years). In 1831 John Dreisbach, the 
last surviving colleague of Albright, removed from Buffalo 
Valley, Pa., to a place near Circleville. His house became a 
regular preaching place, and one of the first churches in Ohio 
was erected here. 

We have now traced out the bounds of this vast field of labor 
as established by our first preachers. We have also noticed 
most of the prominent families whose homes were Evangelical 
sanctuaries and whose sons took the places of the devoted men 
who were sent from year to year to these Western wilds by the 
mother conference. The bounds of this great circuit, with few 
changes, remained, as outlined in this chapter, for many years, 
and was not permanently divided until 1840. In 1836 it num- 
bered forty-two preaching places. This field furnished its full 
share of workers for the Master's vineyard. In thirteen year& 
no less than thirteen young men entered the Gospel ministry from 
its bounds, several of whom became prominent in the Church. 
They were Henry Wissler (i), 1824; J. G. Zinzer (2), 1829; 
W. RoEHRiG, 1830; Daniel Tobias, Peter Gates (3), and 
Aaron Yambert (4), 1833; Peter Wiest and Samuel Van 
Gundy, 1834; Daniel Swartz, 1835; L. Einsel (5) and A. B. 
Shaffer (6), 1836; A. Loehner and Isaac Hoffer, 1837, Right 
worthily did these noble sons of Ohio take the places of their 
spiritual fathers, and most of them were spared to see the work 
established throughout the State and all over the more distant 
West. 

Biographical Notes. — (i) Henry Wissler was born in Pennsylvania. 
When a youth his parents removed to Ohio and were of the first members. He 
died at Webster, Iowa, in 1887, aged ninety-three years. 

(2) See Biographic Department. 

(3) Peter Gates rendered about twenty-five years of active service ; located 
because of ill health, and settled at West Liberty, Iowa, where he died in 1882, 
aged seventy-five years. 

(4) Aaron Yambert was bom in Berks county, Pa., in 1809. After serv- 
ing the Church many years, he located because of impaired health. Died July 
4, 1888. 

(5) Lewis Einsel was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1813; was the first 
Evangelical missionary in Chicago, 111., in 1839, and also at Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1 84 1, where he erected a church the following year. In 1842 he was married 
to Catharine, a daught«»r of Rev. JOHN Dreisbach. He died in Holdrege, 
Neb., in 1893. ^ 

(6) See Biographic Department. 



THE EARLY DA Y8, 149 

Sandusky Circuit. In the Autumn of 1826 at a quarterly 
meeting held near Mansfield, Ohio, the presiding elder, Adam 
Klinefelter, informed Rev. J. M. Saylor that there were a 
number of praying people in tne region of Upper Sandusky, and 
directed him to visit them as soon as convenient, and if possible 
establish an appointment. In due time Saylor went to the des- 
ignated locality, where he arrived near noon, and found most of 
the people of the neighborhood gathered for the purpose of clear- 
ing land for cultivation. Ox teams, brawny arms, axes, and 
burning brush greeted the eyes of the itinerant. Saylor informed 
the men that he was a missionary sent to look after their spirit- 
ual welfare. They all seemed very much pleased, informed him 
that they had heard no sermon for six years, and declared that 
they would work no more until they had heard a sermon. Ac- 
cordingly they repaired to the house, where a lunch was served 
by the women, after which Saylor held divine service, and found 
a number of praying people among them. Another meeting was 
held in the evening, which was largely attended. Then a class 
of twenty-five members was organized, which was the beginning 
of the work in this part of the State. Saylor did not visit the 
place again, but Rev. Jacob Fry did so, repeatedly, previous to 
the conference session. 

At the session of the Ohio Conference in June, 1827, the 
great Sandusky Circuit, embracing four or five counties, was 
formed, and assigned to Adam Klinefelter. This region had 
been recently purchased from the Indians, and settlers were com- 
ing in from all directions. 

About the time Sandusky Circuit was formed, William Pon- 
tius, originally from Berks county. Pa., removed from Pickaway 
to the northern part of Marion county, Ohio. He and his house- 
hold were members of the Church, and his house became one of 
the first preaching places, and as it was, perhaps, the most impor- 
tant point on the southern end of the charge it seems proper to 
speak of some of the other appointments in relation to distance 
and direction from this place. Pontius died in 1832, aged fifty 
years, and his wife Susanna in 1836, aged fifty-two years. They 
had eight children and constitued a godly family. Their third 
son, Peter, was one of the first-fruits of the ministry from this 
circuit. He died in 1853, aged thirty- two years. Joseph K., 
youngest son of William, was licensed in 1856, and traveled in 
Ohio and later in Michigan, where he died in 1887, aged sixty- 



150 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

three years. Susanna M., a daughter, became the wife of Rev. 
Christian Idleman, a member of the Ohio Conference. 

About eight miles east of the Pontius home was the Beech, 
another of the first points of the charge. The preaching places 
were at Henry and John Diebert's and Henry Miller's. 
Miller had removed hither from Fairfield county, where he was 
converted in youth. He was bom in Berks county. Pa., in 1800, 
and died in 1879. It is held that the first church on the circuit 
was erected at the Beech. About four miles west of Pontius 
was a settlement by European Germans, where our first preach- 
ers found entrance, and where a church was built at an early day. 
The principal members were Xavier Zachman, Peter Acham, 
and two men each named John Myers. This was known as the 
Bethlehem Class. Brother Zachman was the leader of the class 
for almost forty years. He died in 1889, aged eighty-four years. 

John Boyer, from Pennsylvania, moved about seven miles 
northeast of Pontius. He and family were all members of the 
Church j among them his son John, Jr., and his son-in-law Peter 
Gabel. An appointment was maintained here for some time. 

In 1826 Rev. Jacob Klinefelter, one of the prominent 
preachers of the early days, removed from Pennsylvania, and 
settled about six miles northwest of Pontius. His house was 
one of the first preaching places. Some years later Jacob Kline- 
felter, a relative of the former, settled about three miles north 
of Pontius. In course of time a class was formed here and a 
church built. The places enumerated were all in Marion county, 
and constituted the southern end of the circuit. 

In Crawford county the chief point was at Broken Sword. 
The leading members were Jacob and Fronica Lintner, from 
Dauphin county. Pa., and their son-in-law Rev. John Myers, 
also Michael and Susanna Shupp, parents of Rev. N. Shupp. 
A church was built here at an early day. West of Broken Sword 
was Indian Bush, one of the first preaching places. 

In Seneca county the work prospered greatly, and a number 
of strong classes were organized prior to 1832. About 1830 a 
number of members from Wayne county removed to the vicinity 
of Flat Rock and Bellview, most of whom had been members in 
Pennsylvania. Some were converted under Albright and his 
co-laborers. Their number was increased about the same time 
by direct removals from Pennsylvania, nearly all from Musser's 
Valley, in (now) Snyder and Mifilin counties. Among them were 



THE BARL7 DAT8. 151 

George, John, and Fred Herpster, sons of Fred Herpster, 
who was one of the first class-leaders of the Church, also their 
brother-in-law, Wm. McCauley, the Wonders, the Mooks, and 
John Wales. The class was organized in 1830, and Rev. Daniel 
Wonder was the first leader.* 

The home of Rev. John and Barbara Betz was one of the 
first preaching places. They were converted under Albright 
and co-laborers at Millheim, Pa., in 1806. (B. was a brother 
of Rev. M. Betz ; he died in 1848, aged sixty-eight years.) The 
town of Bettsville was named in his honor. Other preaching 
places were at the homes of John Lesher and Fred Becker, 
who were among the first members in 1806 at the Miihlbach, Pa. ; 
John and Susan Wagoner, who became members in Albright's 
time, and died in 1872; and Henry Sheller. At McCuchen- 
ville one of the chief places was that of John H. Yambert, of 
Berks county. Pa. He died in 1862, aged eighty- two years. 
His two sons Aaron and J. H. became prominent ministers in 
the Ohio Conference. 

In Sandusky county one of the chief places was the home of 
George and Mary Hartman, who became members in 1805, in 
Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio in 1833. It is held that the 
first camp-meeting on Sandusky Circuit was on their land. 
Daniel Mowry, brother-in-law of Hartman, was a prominent 
old-time member and his house a preaching place. George 
Orwig (uncle of Rev. W. W. Orwig), and Rev. Benj. Ettinger, 
were also among the first to open their homes as preaching places. 

In Morrow county one of the early strongholds was at Steam 
Corners. Among the principal members were Conrad Rein- 
hart and John Ettinger, both from York county. Pa., and J. 
Stoll, from Bedford county. Pa. 

Ititerestiilg lucideiits. In midwinter of 1827 Rev. J. M. 
Saylor, junior preacher on the charge, traveled about twenty- 
five miles to attend a general meeting at Adam Klahr's. Snow 
and sleet fell almost continually during the entire journey, and 
his garments were frozen stiff and covered with an icy crust. At 
the place of meeting he was met at the barn by his presiding 
elder, Adam Klinefelter, who assisted him from his horse, he 
being unable to alight, and informed him that he had appointed 

* IS! early all these families were converted in Albright's time at the Thomas 
appointment, in Mifflin county, Pa., in 1803, in which connection the reader 
will find a fuller history of them. 



152 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

him to preach that night; *'but," said he, '^you are almost 
frozen to death, and it is out of the question for you to preach, 
so I will preach this evening, and you will preach to-morrow 
morning in my place." Saylor's preaching at the camp-meet- 
ings the previous Summer seems to have made a favorable im- 
pression on the presiding elder, so he added, ''And, Brother 
Saylor, I want you to preach one of your big camp-meeting 
sermons." Fearing that his preaching ability had been over- 
estimated, and that his compliment might prove a snare to him, 
he resolved, after spending much time in prayer, to preach the 
simplest text that presented itself. At the morning service the 
house was filled with people. Saylor took as his text, *' To-day 
if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." The Lord 
stood by him in a wonderful manner and opened the hearts of 
the people. As the sermon progressed the Holy Ghost fell 
mightily on the assembly, and the voice of the preacher became 
inaudable on account of the prayers of the penitents and the vic- 
torious shouts of the saved. The sermon was cut short, and the 
preachers began laboring with the penitents. The hour for din- 
ner arrived, but no one seemed to have a thought for the needs 
of the body, so intent were they on the salvation of their souls. 
The meeting continued with unabated interest all the afternoon. 
Evening approached, but in every room were wrestling Jacobs, 
who had taken hold on the Lord and would not let Him go with- 
out a blessing. The multitude had partaken of neither dinner 
nor supper. ' ' We must have salvation now, " was the prevailing 
sentiment. So the meeting continued until the jubilant shouts 
of the saved could be heard in every room of the house. At 9 
o'clock at night the meeting closed, after eleven hours* contin- 
uous duration. This was a great triumph for God's cause. Many 
were converted who afterwards became pillars in the Church, 
and eternity alone can count the sheaves of that golden harvest. 
In 1826 there was a considerable awakening at a certain place 
on Lancaster Circuit, which was attended by J. M. Saylor. 
Observing a young woman with a pitiable expression of sadness, 
he asked her whether she was a Christian. ''No," said she, 
"but I will get down right here and seek salvation." This she 
did, and Saylor bowed by her side, when a remarkable struggle 
for mercy began. The evening wore away and still darkness 
veiled the soul of the weeping penitent. Midnight approached, 
and some of the brethren told Saylor that his labors would be 



THE EAEL T DA T8, 153 

in vain. **She has been a seeker for five years," said they. 
**She comes out at every meeting, but she makes no headway.'* 
**No, said Saylor, **I will not give up. I will see whether my 
dear Saviour will not bless a poor penitent that struggles so ear- 
nestly." The wrestling continued until 2 o'clock in the morn- 
ing, when they were both exhausted, and the young woman's 
heart was filled with unutterable sorrow. Both preacher and 
penitent remained under the same roof that night. When morn- 
ing came Saylor said to the young woman, '* We have a general 
meeting next Sunday about twenty-five miles from here, which I 
want you to attend. Ask your father to give you a horse to carry 
you, and come without fail." When the meeting opened the 
young woman was on hand, and during the Saturday evening 
service she was very much broken up and wept pitifully. On 
Sunday morning following, as Saylor took a stroll in a grove near 
by, to collect his thoughts for the services, his attention was 
arrested by the voice of weeping, and, going in the direction of 
the sound, he found the young woman engaged in agonizing 
prayer. In the evening service she was most gloriously and tri- 
umphantly saved. With eyes suffused with tears of joy, and both 
hands raised to greet her pastor, she exclaimed, **0, Brother 
Saylor, I am so glad that there was yet one soul (meaning S. ) 
that had faith that the Lord Jesus would save me! " This young 
lady, whose name was Rearick, a cousin of Bishop Long, be- 
came a most useful and exemplary member. 

In the Fall of 1826 Rev. J. M. Saylor preached at the house 
of H. Rauch, near Wooster, Wayne county. The following 
morning he started for his next appointment, to be filled that 
evening. About six miles east of Wooster he saw a large num- 
ber of people gathered in front of a log cabin, and was hailed by 
a man who asked him whether he was a minister. Saylor an- 
swered in the affirmative. Said the stranger, ** There is a widow 
living here whose daughter is dead, and the minister has refused 
to ofiiciate at her funeral because she is poor. Would you have 
the kindness to give her Christian burial ? " Saylor replied that 
he had a long distance to go to his preaching place that night, 
but would give them a short discourse and offer prayer, but could 
not accompany them to the place of burial. This was satisfac- 
tory, and Saylor dismounted. He found the house full of peo- 
ple, and felt much embarrassed before his strange audience. He 
felt very much chagrined with his miserable attempt to preach, 



154 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

and as soon as possible mounted his horse and rode away, hear^ 
ily glad that no one knew him, and never expecting to hear of 
the affair again. 

In the Spring of 1827 Saylor preached in a cabin near Co- 
lumbus, and after services remained there for the night. The 
family, with the preacher, and an elderly lady, who was also a 
guest, gathered around the blazing fire by the open hearth, for a 
friendly conversation, whereupon the lady, who appeared to be 
in very delicate health, remarked to the preacher, ** Brother Say- 
lor, I had appointed you to preach my funeral sermon. I was 
very sick and expected to die, and told my friends to bury me 
privately, and when you came around you should then preach the 
funeral sermon. " This astonished Saylor very much, and he 
knew that there must be some secret motive for this strange 
request. So he asked, ''Why did you make such arrangements? 
Why appoint me in preference to my colleague" (C. Kring)? 
**Well, I will tell you," said she. *'Last year I lived near 
Wooster. I am a poor widow, and while I lived there I lost my 
daughter by death. I was slighted by my minister, who paid no 
attention to me, because I was poor. I could not bear to have 
my daughter buried without a funeral service. A young circuit 
preacher, who was passing by, was asked to come in and preach 
the sermon, and under that sermon I and my whole family were 
led to the Saviour." **But," said Saylor, **why did you appoint 
me. " * * Why, " said the widow, * ' because you look just like that 
man." **What was his text?" said Saylor. The woman re- 
peated it. **Why, I am that preacher," said S. Whereupon 
the woman arose, and falling upon the neck of the preacher, wept 
aloud for joy and gratitude. 

What an encouragement this is for the servant of God, who 
often feels ashamed of his feeble attempts to preach the Gospel ! 
'* Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many 
days" (Eccl. xi. i). 

In 1826, when the work in Ohio still consisted of two circuits, 
that good man Joseph Long, who afterwards became an honored 
bishop of the Church, was appointed to the consolidated Mans- 
field and Canton Circuit. He had as colleague Francis Hoff- 
man, a young man recently converted at the great revival at 
Orwigsburg, Pa. He had already traveled as a supply on Schuyl- 
kill Circuit, in his native State, so that he was in some measure 
inured to the hardships of an itinerant's life. One thing, however, 



THE EARLY DATS, 155 

gave him deep concern, and sometimes unsettled his mind with 
regard to his future course — an oft recurring doubt as to his 
call ito the ministry. On one occasion his appointment was at 
the house of Rev. John Shilling, in Wayne county. The fol- 
lowing day he started for the next appointment, some twelve or 
fourteen miles distant. He had not proceeded far until his old 
doubts, as to his calling, returned with unusual force. A great 
conflict began to wage within his breast. After a long and severe 
struggle, he turned his horse in the direction of Pennsylvania. 
This was the crucial moment of his life. With his horse turned 
away from his appointment, he hesitated an instant, when, sud- 
denly, a voice spake to his soul: **Go to your appointment." 
This was unmistakably the voice of the Lord, and the young man 
fully realized its significance. He, therefore, raised his heart to 
God in earnest prayer for further guidance in this matter. He 
again turned his horse in the direction of his appointment, and 
made a solemn covenant with God. The agreement on his part 
was that he would go to his appointment and do the best he could, 
and the Lord should on His part, give him that night as a seal to 
his calling at least one soul. Once more he started and the ap- 
pointment was reached in due season. At the house he met Rev. 
John Dayhoff, one of the early preachers, and a most powerful 
speaker. This somewhat discouraged Hoffman, and he urged 
Dayhoff to preach for him, but he refused, telling him that it 
would not do, as the people would expect to hear the new preacher. 
While the people were gathering in the house for service, 
young Hoffman sought the seclusion of a chamber, where he 
betook himself to prayer. With fear and trembling he entered 
the room, which was crowded with expectant people, some of 
whom had come many miles to hear him. Immediately in front 
of the table which served as a pulpit was a bench, on which sat 
six fine looking young women. When the preacher arose to an- 
nounce his hymn he was so overcome by his feelings that he 
could scarcely read it. In his prayer which followed he lost all 
sight of self, and with a heart almost breaking, besought the 
Lord to set his seal to the covenant made that day. After an- 
other hymn was sung, the young man arose and announced his 
text with a voice tremulous with emotion. In the name of Jesus 
he began his discourse. After speaking but a short time a pen- 
tecostal wave swept over the assembly. One of the young women 
fti front of him cried out in a loud voice, '* I am lost ! I am lost ! " 



156 E^f ANGELICAL ASSOGIA TION ANNAL8. 

With this heart rending cry, she fell upon her knees to implore 
God's mercy. She was immediately followed by her companion 
by her side. The others on the seat also bowed, one after an- 
other, until all six were pleading for salvation. This brought the 
sermon to an abrupt close. The arrow of conviction had been 
driven home to many other hearts. In all parts of the room the 
cries of penitent souls arose, mingled with the triumphant shouts 
of the saved. It was, indeed, a great victory. Many people 
were converted, who afterwards became prominent members of 
the Church. 

After this meeting, Dayhoff, to whom Hoffman had narrated 
his great struggle and the covenant of the previous day, put him 
on his guard by telling him that now the tempter would seek more 
powerfully than ever to discourage him. True to the prediction, 
the spirit of doubt again sought to unsettle his convictions of 
duty, but the same divine voice that spake to him when he was 
discouraged on the way, now spake to him again. This time it 
said, ** Remember your covenant." This forever settled all 
doubt. The young man rose to great eminence and usefulness 
in the Church, and became one of its chief pillars. For sixty 
years he stood in the front ranks of the itinerancy and was given 
the most responsible offices and positions within the gift of his 
conference (East Pennsylvania). In 1886 he retired from active 
work, whereupon his conference adopted suitable resolutions in 
regard to his long and useful ministry. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



ON THE PRAIRIES. 

Extensive Emigration of Evangelicals to Illinois anp 
Indiana — Missionary Work of Jacob Boas, and Estab- 
lishment of Societies. 

In 1834 a young German, named Daniel Stanger, migrated 
from Warren, Pa., to Cook county, Illinois. He had been con- 
verted the previous year under the ministry of John Seybert, 
and was a member of the Church. He was unmarried, with no 
means other than a brave heart, willing hands, and trust in God. 
A good part of the distance from Warren to his new home he 
traveled on foot. Near Des Plains he secured a fine body of 
kind, on which he erected a dwelling house soon after his arrival. 
Through correspondence with his Warren friends he induced 
Jacob Kreihnbill, J. G. Esher, J. Arnold, and another young 
man to join him in 1836. These at once saw the superior advan- 
tages of this region over the rough and unproductive lands of 
their Pennsylvania homes. Their glowing description of the 
beauty and fertility of the West created a general desire among 
the Warren people to remove thither. Accordingly, in the Spring 
of 1837, a large number, nearly all members of the Church, re- 
moved to Illinois in a body. Among them were the families of 
ScHALLY, Ott, Trier, Strubler, Martin and Jacob Esher, 
WiRTH, Gross, Knopf, Schuler, Arnet, and Rink. They 
settled into three colonies, the larger number remaining in the 
vicinity of Des Plains, another party going to Naperville, about 
thirty miles distant, and the third party to Henry county. 

Near Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, lived John Butz, who 
about 1830 had removed thither from Lehigh county, Pa. When 
the great revival took place in Cedar Creek Valley, Lehigh county, 



158 E VANQELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

he returned with his family, and they were converted there. In 
1837 they returned with others to their old home in Illinois. 
Our first missionaries soon found John Butz, and his house be- 
came one of our first preaching places in Illinois, and one of the 
first classes was formed here.* 

Our people in the far West were without pastors, which they 
deeply lamented, and many prayers ascended to the chief Shep- 
herd that pastors might be sent to minister to the needs of the 
scattered members. 

Immediately after their arrival in Illinois our Evangelical 
members organized themselves into classes, the first at Des 
Plains, in June, 1837; the second at Naperville, soon after; the 
third on Rock River, Henry county, and from the following ex- 
tract of a letter from J. Butz, Mount Carmel, 111., June 21,1837, 
published in the JBotschafier, it is evident that an organization 
existed in Wabash county : **Thus I am like a solitary bird upon 
the roof, and meet with sore opposition, but the Lord has been 
with us thus far. Three souls have already been converted to 
God, who were awakened through our instrumentality. Two of 
whom obtained peace in our prayer-meetings. " So far as known, 
these were the first conversions through the instrumentality of 
our people in the State. 

In the midsummer of 1837 Jacob Boas, a young energetic 
Pennsylvanian, then in charge of Miami Circuit, Ohio, received 
directions from his presiding elder, Henry Niebel, to proceed 
to Illinois, to look after our members in that State and minister 
to their needs. The year previous Boas had traveled Erie Cir- 
cuit, Pa. , and had promised the Warren friends that in case they 
removed to the West he would endeavor to visit them. He now 
proceeded not only to carry out the directions of his presiding 
elder, but also to fulfil his promise. The distance was many 
hundred miles, across bridgeless streams and trackless prairies. 
He often lost his way amid the tall grass, which almost hid him 

*In 1845 another colony of Evangelicals emigrated from Cedar Creek Val- 
ley, Lehigh county, Pa., to Illinois, consisting of the following, all of whom 
were heads of families: Amos and Aaron Butz, Solomon and Edward 
Mertz, John Drissler, John Neitz, Joseph Roth, Daniel Keck, Peter akd 
Chas. Fehr, Reuben and Ephrim Hauser,Chas.Guth, and Geo. Steimnger. 
In 1846 Charles Butz, Simon Strauss, Adam Gaser, and Philip Rass- 
weiler. Most of the above settled in the vicinity of Naperville, 111. The 
journey was made in covered wagons, and required several weeks, during which 
time they had their prayer and class-meetings ou the way as usual. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 159 

from view. The weather was intensely hot, and his horse, in 
addition to being utterly jaded, was tormented by a peculiar fly 
which almost drove the poor animal mad. He was once com- 
pelled to stop a day or two for rest to both man and beast. Be- 
fore starting again a kind-hearted blacksmith procured netting, 
with which he completely enveloped the animal, and with this 
queer rig he entered Chicago, then but a small town, on July 23. 
Here he visited a number of members, and the next day resumed 
his journey to Des Plains. Upon his arrival an appointment was 
made for him immediately at the house of Daniel Stanger, the 
pioneer of the colony. His coming was an occasic of great joy 
to our people, and the service was one of great power and tri- 
umph. The preacher's text was John xvi. 22. After a brief 
rest Boas proceeded to Naperville, where he also preached. 

The following September the first quarterly meeting was held 
under a large oak tree, on the banks of the Des Plains River, 
near Wheeling. Here Boas preached to a large concourse of 
people, many of whom had come a great distance in wagons. 
During this meeting the first quarterly conference was held, and 
Boas ratified the organization of the classes and the election of 
officers prior to his arrival. This meeting was a season of grace 
and great rejoicing, and a number of souls were converted. 
Boas remained in Illinois until Christmas, when he returned to 
his charge in Ohio. There were now upwards of seventy mem- 
bers in Illinois, for whose oenefit a circuit was formed at the fol- 
lowing session of the Western Conference in March, 1838, and 
P. WiEST was appointed the first regular pastor, who took charge 
of the field the following September. 

When John Seybert was presiding elder of Caanan District, 
Eastern Conference, just before his election as bishop in 1839, 

Note. — As the histories hitherto published give the residence of Jacob 
ESHER, Sr., as the place where the first sermon was preached, it is due to the 
memory of the sainted Father Stanger that this correction should be made. 
The fact is that EsHER had but recently arrived from Warren, Pa., and at this 
time was living with Stanger, as he had not yet built a house for himself. The 
above facts appeared in the biography of Stanger in the Botschafter in 1878, 
and were never refuted. Bishop Esher himself seemed anxious to correct this 
error, as he wrote : "The first sermon was preached in Brother D. Stanger 's 
house, with whom my father lived at that time " {^Botschafter^ Dec. 15, 1869). 
In a historical address which he delivered in 1887, at Des Plains, commemor- 
ative of the semi-centennial of the establishment of the society there, he made 
the same statement. 



160 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNAL8. 

he spoke at a meeting, in Centre county, Pa., of the advantages 
and desirability of Illinois as a place for emigrants, and many 
people became enthusiastic to remove thither as soon as possible. 
They informed Seybert of their intention, and as nearly all were 
members of* the Church, they were, at his suggestion and under 
his direction, organized as a class, with Conrad EppLEvas leader, 
and William Weirick exhorter. Besides the above were John 
FoLGATE, James McKee, John Rockey, George Riegel, Dinah 
AuMAN (widow), and Henry Zerby, all, save the last, having 
families, most of whom were members of the Church. The entire 
colony, numbering forty-eight souls, left their homes along Penn^s 
Creek, Pa., in April, 1839, and started for Stephenson county, 
111., over a thousand miles away. Their conveyances were large 
covered wagons. The journey was slow and tiresome, yet they 
did not neglect their means of grace, but had many blessed 
prayer-meetings on the way. They settled in and around Cedar- 
ville, six miles north of Freeport. 

The first Evangelical preacher who visited them was John 
LuTZ, of whose visit the following report appeared in the Boi- 
schafter^ dated March 28, 1840: ^'By order of our bishop and 
Brother Zinzer, I traveled last December to Illinois, and since 
then explored several counties, and also made a visit to Wiscon- 
sin territory, and found many Germans, who were hungering for 
the Bread of Life. I preached as much as I possibly could, and 
the people received the Word, with tears rolling down their 
cheeks. For want of time I could not stay anywhere as long as 
I desired, with the exception of Brothers Eppley's and Fol- 
gate's, in Stephenson county, where I stayed, providentially, I 
believe, longer than I had intended. I had preached a number 
of times in that vicinity, and only one soul was brought from 
death to life, whereupon I took my departure. I did not go far 
however ; my heart felt for the people, and my mind became un- 
easy, so that after traveling eight or nine miles; I could go no 
further, but turned my horse about, returned again, and gave out 
appointments. The people streamed together to hear the Word 
of God, and God laid His hand to the work, and there was a 
shaking among the dry bones, so that in a short time some 
twenty were seeking, of whom twelve were hopefully converted, 
and rejoiced in the living God of their salvation. Others stand 
near the narrow way, who will doubtless soon enter, and with the 
others journey heavenward." 



THE EARLY DAYS. 161 

This was the first considerable revival in our work in Illinois ; 
the settlement soon constituted a separate charge ; and the mem- 
bership greatly increased in a short time by additional arrivals 
from Pennsylvania. 

In the Spring of 1839 Lewis Einsel was appointed to the 
work in Illinois. One of his first official acts was the dedication, 
June 20, 1839, of the first church of the Evangelical Association 
in the State, a small log building, located at Des Plains. 

During this year Einsel began to preach in Chicago, being 
the first preacher of our Church to labor there. His work being 
interrupted by illness, John Lutz was sent to his assistance in 
December. During Fall and Winter the work was greatly strength- 
ened. Lutz visited tne Cedarville settlement repeatedly, and 
also did pioneer work in the vicinity of Milwaukee, Wis. In 
May, 1840, he and Einsel started for the session of the Ohio 
Conference, where they reported a membership of ninety-three 
in Illinois. At this time the work in Illinois was divided. Des 
Plains, Naperville, Chicago, and other places, constituted a field 
called Illinois Circuit, to which Isaac Hoffer and Daniel Kern 
were appointed, while northwestern Illinois and Wisconsin were 
formed into Illinois Mission, to which John Lutz was appointed. 
He organized a class near Milwaukee. Hoffer and Kern 
preached in private houses and shops in various parts of Chicago, 
and organized a class there. During this year the Illinois work 
was visited for the first time by a presiding elder, J. G. Zinzer, 
with whose district the charges were connected. 

In 1 84 1 the name of Illinois Circuit was changed to Des 
Plains Circuit, and assigned to Adam Stroh and Christian 
Lintner. Isaac Hoffer was appointed to Illinois Mission. 
Both charges prospered. A regular preaching place was secured 
in the Chicago City Hall, corner Clark and Randolph Streets, 
greatly to the advantage of the work. A successful revival fol- 
lowed, and the class was greatly strengthened. The accessions 
on the charge were upwards of 100, and the total membership at 
the close of the year was 186. 

In July, 1 841, the first camp-meeting of the Association in 
Illinois was held on the land of Jacob Esher, two miles south- 
east of Wheeling, Cook county, and about twenty miles north- 
west of Chicago. On Monday, July 12, Bishop Seybert arrived 
among the friends, twelve miles north of Chicago. This was his 
first visit and was unexpected, but an appointment was made for 



162 EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

him, and he preached the same evening from Luke xi. 28. On 
July 15, the camp-meeting began. The preachers present, be- 
sides the bishop, were Adam Stroh, Christian Lintner and 
Isaac Hoffer. There were eighteen tents on the grounds, 
mostly occupied by two or more families. Many had come 
great distances, some on foot not less than seventy miles. The 
meeting closed after a season of great grace and victory. 

At the quarterly conference connected with the camp-meeting 
a young brother named Christian Ebinger was received as a 
preacher on probation, and was the first one admitted into the 
ministry of our Church in Illinois. 

From the camp-meeting Bishop Seybert proceeded to Naper- 
ville, where he preached; thence about 125 miles to Illinois 
Mission, where he arrived July 28, at Conrad Epply's, on Cedar 
Creek -, a few days later attended a quarterly meeting at J. Fal- 
GET^s, then returned to Des Plains, and thence proceeded east- 
ward. This visit greatly impressed the bishop with the great 
resources of the West and the bright prospects of the Evangelical 
Association in that region. 

In 1842 Mt. Carmel Mission, (partly in Indiana) was consti- 
tuted and assigned to Christian Augenstein. Illinois Mission 
was changed to Rock River Mission, with Levi Heiss and Daniel 
Kern in charge, while Des Plains Circuit was served by Fred 
Wahl and G. A. Blank. A camp-meeting was held on Mt. 
Carmel Mission, on the land of P. Dundore. At the close of 
this prosperous year the membership numbered upwards of 100. 

In 1843 Illinois was constituted the fifth district of the Ohio 
Conference, with appointments as follows : Saml. Baumgardner, 
P. E. ; (i) Des Plains Circuit, Ch. Kopp ; (2) Rock River Circuit, 
Levi Heiss and J. G. Miller; (3) Chicago Mission, (new) 
Fred Wahl ; (4) Milwaukee Mission, Wis. , Mathias Hauert. 
This was another very successful year. Presiding Elder Baum- 
gardner moved with his family to Des Plains in June, so that 
he could serve the district to better advantage. 

On Rock River Circuit Heiss met with great success. He 
organized a class of thirty-three members at Peoria. At Free- 
port also a beginning was made, C. J. Mease having moved 
thither from Centre county, Pa., the previous year. On Mil- 
waukee Mission a church edifice was commenced. At Naper- 
ville a church was dedicated, which was the second oi our society in 
Illinois. This was followed by another in Chicago the same year. 



THE EARLY DAYS. 163 

In this city the Canal Company donated to the society a lot on 
the comer of Washington and Wabash Avenues, on which a frame 
edifice was erected. This was the first German Protestant church 
in Chicago. In 1846 a parsonage was erected here, which was 
the first of our society in Illinois. 

Begimiiiig of the Work in ludiaiia. Our work in In- 
diana began October, 1835, when the first general meeting was 
held at Abbington, in the southern part of Wayne county, at 
which Rev. J. G. Zinzer was present. There were then, so far 
as known, but three members of the Church in the State. In 
1835 Henry Ehrhart removed from Pennsylvania to German- 
town, Ind. John Dill, from the same State, lived in this vicinity. 
In 1836 the second general meeting was held at the house of one 
of these brethren, at which time there were twelve members in 
the State. From this time Germantown was regularly served, 
and became an Evangelical stronghold. The work in the begin- 
ning was connected with Miami Circuit, of the Western Confer- 
ence. It developed so rapidly that a separate charge was con- 
stituted in a few years. Soon after the commencement of the 
work at Germantown, appointments were also established at 
Dubois and Mt. Carmel, in the southwestern portion of the State, 
which were for many years Evangelical strongholds. In 1840 
the Miami Circuit embraced appointments in fifteen counties, six 
in Ohio and nine in Indiana, and this great field, requiring eight 
weeks to complete a *' round," was served by two men. 

In 1 84 1 the work in Indiana was divided, the appointments 
in the eastern part of the State constituting White Water Circuit, 
and the central work of Wayne Mission. At the close of the year 
the former numbered ninety-one members and the latter thirty- 
two, with one class organized. In 1842 Mt. Carmel Mission 
was established in southeastern Illinois, whose bounds extended 

Biographical Notes. — John Dill was born in Berks county. Pa., Dec. 
21, 1800, and removed to Indiana in 1822. He was one of the first members of 
the Church in Indiana, and the first camp-meeting was held on his land. He 
was one of the chief instruments in the erection of the first church. He was 
industrious, economical, very liberal, and made handsome bequests to the vari- 
ous interests of the Church. His death occurred Oct. 30, 1868. 

Henry Ehrhart was bom in York county. Pa., and converted in 1828. 
He removed to Germantown, Indiana, in 1835, where he became one of the first 
members, and the first Evangelical class-leader in the State. He was a pillar in 
the Church, and a true father in Israel. He died June 9, 1882, aged eighty-two 
years, three months and sixteen days. 



164 EVANGELICAL AS80G1A TION ANNALS. 

into Indiana. On Nov. 8 the missionaries began a meeting in 
Dubois county, which resulted in some conversions and the in- 
gathering of twenty-two members. The year following a camp- 
meeting was held in this county. The work continued to flourish 
especially in the vicinity of Huntingburgh, where a strong con- 
gregation was established. Soon after this, that part of Mt. 
Carmel Mission in Indiana was constituted Dubois Mission. In 
1843 t^^ fields of labor in Indiana, including Mt. Carmel Mis- 
sion (partly in Illinois), were constituted a presiding elder 
district. In 1844 the district embraced White Water, Elkhart, 
Mt. Carmel, St. Mary^s, and Dubois charges. 

The first Evangelical camp-meeting in Indiana was held on 
the land of John Dill, near Germantown, beginning August 31, 
1840. On the last day of the meeting a great crowd of ill dis- 
posed people came to make disturbance. They first engaged in 
a mock battle with knives and clubs, some distance from the 
camp, to draw the people away. Failing in this, they made an 
attack upon the people in the inclosure, where many penitents 
were at the altar engaged in prayer. A great disturbance fol- 
lowed, and some were injured. The camp-meeting people did 
not resort to violence to repel the attack, which gained for them 
the praise and favor of all well disposed citizens. Camp-meet- 
ings were held for many years thereafter at Dill's, and many 
souls were saved there. 

The first Evangelical church in the State was built at Ger- 
mantown, and dedicated Jan. i, 1844. The second was built at 
Huntingburg, and dedicated Sept. 14, 1845. Another was dedi- 
cated near Germantown, Oct. 31, 1847. 

We have now, in a general way, noted the establishment and 
development of the Evangelical Association during the first half 
century of her existence. The reader will hardly fail to note the 
many striking manifestations of Divine Providence as our early 
preachers advanced the work, step by step, from its birthplace 
in Pennsylvania to the distant West, and from thence spreading 
in all directions. The story of the onward march of the Church 
to the Gulf on the south, to the Pacific on the west, to Europe 
and the Orient, will be found in a subsequent part of this work. 



CHAPTER IX. 



The Distinctive Features of the Evangelical 
Association. 

The Doctrines of the Evangelical Association, as set forth 
in her book of Discipline, are preeminently orthodox. Her gen- 
eral views on the subject of the Atonement and Christian Perfec- 
tion are Wesleyan in expression, and in substantially the same 
language as set forth by that eminent divine. The founders of 
the Evangelical Association, however, while not indifferent to the 
great importance of a system of clear and well defined Christian 
doctrine, nevertheless gave more attention to the practical side 
of religion. Evangelization was the watchword. The one great 
and burning desire of our early evangelists was to bring sinners 
to Christ. The moral condition of the people, with whom our 
early preachers came in contact, demanded special emphasis of 
the practical and experimental side of religion. This was the 
standpoint and the mission of the founders of the Association, 
and was maintained by their successors. The great success 
which has ever attended her ministry in this direction is ample 
proof that the Evangelical Association is a child of Providence. 
Without this predominating aim — evangelization — which is a 
true apostolic spirit, there would be no good reasons for her 
existence. 

The Episcopacy. The episcopal polity of the Association 
is characteristic, and is the result of development and adaptation 
to the requirements of her work. While in some respects her 
polity is identical with some of her sister denominations, in others 
it is widely divergent. This diiference is perhaps nowhere so 
noticeable as in her views on the episcopacy. It is sometimes 
held that the Evangelical Association is nearly, if not altogether, 
identical in faith and government with the Methodist Episcopal 



166 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Church, from which she is erroneously held to have originated. 
In respect to faith there is no essential difference, the difference 
in polity, however, is very apparent by a comparison of the char- 
acter and functions of the episcopacy. The episcopacy in the 
Evangelical Association is no^ an order. The bishops are not 
ordained^ but elected to the office only, and their tenure of office 
is not for life, but limited to four years, unless they are re-elected 
by the General Conference. In the character of the episcopal 
powers also the difference is very marked. The bishops of the 
Evangelical Association do not, as in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, possess the power of fixing the times of the annual con- 
ference sessions, changing or transferring preachers, appointing 
presiding elders to their offices and districts, and the preachers 
to their respective charges, changing and fixing the bounds of 
presiding elder districts, and interpreting the laws of the Church 
in the intervals of the General Conference. This great differ- 
ence, as already indicated, was the result of mature deliberation, 
covering many years. There was no bishop elected, in the proper 
sense of the word, until 1839, yet prior to that time provisions 
were made for that office, with a steady tendency to limit more 
and more the powers already conferred. This long delay in 
electing a bishop, extending from the death of Albright, in 
1808, to the election of John Seybert, in 1839, undoubtedly had 
its grounds in an apprehension that the office would be perverted 
to the injury of the society. 

Our forefathers had ample opportunity of knowing the danger 
arising from vesting unrestricted authority in the hands of an 
aristocratic prelacy. While the episcopacy of modern times is 
more circumscribed in its powers, they nevertheless felt that the 
best interests of the Church would be subserved by making the 
office simply administrative. Hence it follows that if the day 
should ever come, in the history of the Evangelical Association, 
that a bishop should cause disquietude by the undue exercise of 
authority, it may at once be considered a departure from the 
original intent and spirit of the fathers. The following is cor- 
roborative of this view : 

The first historian of the Church says, in reference to the 
action of the General Conference qn the episcopacy, in 1839; 
'*This conference limited also very materially the power of the 
bishops, especially with regard to the appointment of the 
preachers, and their transfer from one place to another, during 



THE EABLT DATS. 167 

the interval of the annual conferences. Heretofore a bishop was 
authorized, with the assistance of two presiding elders, to assign 
at the annual conferences both to the presiding elders their dis- 
tricts, and to the preachers their circuits, and in the interval of 
the annual conferences to transfer both the presiding elders and 
preachers, according to his option. Attempts have since been 
made to restore this power to the bishops,* especially with regard 
to the transfer of preachers from one conference to another, but 
not being supported by a constitutional majority (three-fourths) 
of the General Conference, it proved a failure. As, however, 
the connection had no bishop from the publication of its Doc- 
trines and Discipline up to this time, this power vested in the 
bishop was never exercised by an incumbent. But as this con- 
ference elected a bishop, it was therefore considered expedient 
to circumscribe his power." (Orwig, page 259.) 

This same author, who himself filled the episcopal office, fur- 
ther says : *^The episcopal dignity in the Ev. Association, how- 
ever, is scarcely enviable, and indeed is only nominal. * * * 
Of his power in the society, no one need be afraid, as it is in 
many respects far more limited than that of several other officers 
of the Church. The same is the case with his privileges. At the 
conference he has to act as Chairman, without expressing, or 
even intimating, his views on any subject, unless he is requested 
to do so. Neither has he a right to vote, except when there is a 
tie." (Page 373-74.) 

Similar sentiments, emanating from the fathers of the Church, 
might be adduced, but we deem the foregoing sufficient. Our 
first bishops rarely spoke of themselves in relation to the dignity 
and power supposed to inhere in that office, but preferred to re- 
gard themselves rather as superintendents, a term which they 
frequently employ in their official communications. 

*NoTE. — At the session of the Pittsburg Conference in 1855, the matter of 
increasing the power of the bishops came before that body, with the view of 
introducing it for action at the coming General Conference. Bishop Long, who 
was in the chair, said to the conference prior to calling the vote, "You must 
remember, first of all, that when you vote power to men, they will use it. This 
may do, as long as you have Bishop Seybert and myself in office, but you will 
get men who will use all the powers you give them, and not always for the best 
interests of the Church." At another time, in reference to the episcopacy, this 
same bishop said, "As long as we are all brethren, I will go along, but as soon 
as you make lords and servants, then I cannot go with you, for you may thcD 
look out for trouble. ' ' Prophetic words ! 



168 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

Book of Discipline. We deem it desirable to give a brief 
account of the origin and development of the book of Discipline 
in order to show more clearly the development of the polity of 
the Church. Some of the changes noted here, with others not 
indicated, may be found in the General Conference transactions. 

Jacob Albright, the founder of the Association, was author- 
ized at the first annual conference, held in 1807, to formulate 
articles of faith and rules of government for the use of the society. 
The undertaking, however, was cut short by his death. The 
conference of 1809 entrusted the work to Rev. George Miller, 
who at once proceeded to perform this duty. He published the 
work the same year, at his own expense. It contained seventy- 
five pages, and was printed at Reading, Pa., by John Ritter. 
The following is a translation of the title page : 

** Doctrines of Faith, and General Rules of Christian Church 
Discipline, and regulations for the so-called Albright people, 
as an exposition of the nature and purpose of their union with 
God, and among themselves, by God's grace, to work out their 
salvation, and to live and walk in unity of faith and implicit 
obedience to such rules, according to the Word of God. On the 
advice of the elders of this Evangelical society and the endorse- 
ment of the conference, furnished by George Miller, Reading ; 
printed by John Ritter & Co., for the Author, 1809." 

A considerable portion of this work was taken from the Ger- 
man edition of the Methodist Episcopal Discipline. While the 
little book gave directions how to proceed with a transgressing 
bishop, it contained nothing pertaining to his election, or term 
of office. The book, however, did a vast amount of good in the 
society. Miller afterwards drew up rules and regulations for 
the annual conference, and in 181 2 he was authorized to formu- 
late a plan of episcopal government, and incorporate the whole 
in a revised edition of the Discipline. His health was very pre- 
carious, and he did not live to complete the work. 

At the conference of 18 16 John Dreisbach and Henry 
NiEBEL were authorized to collect the materials and properly 
arrange them, and supply what might be wanting. This second 
edition of the Discipline was published at New Berlin, Pa., in 
181 7. It contained provisions for the election of a bishop from 
among the presiding elders. The term was limited to four years, 
and re-election not restricted. It also contained a formula for 
ordaining the bishop. The General Conference of 1830 made 



THE EABLT DATS. 169- 

radical changes in the Discipline, of which a third edition ap- 
peared in 1 83 1. It contained 135 pages, ten less than the pre- 
vious edition, but was a vast improvement. The articles of 
Faith and the articles on Christian Perfection and on Temper- 
ance were amplified, and improved in expression. The General 
Rules were abridged and improved. The annual conference was 
thereafter to be composed of itinerants only — local preachers 
also having previously been members. The ordination formula 
for the bishop was dropped ; his power to station the preachers, 
except with the assistance of two presiding elders, was annulled,, 
and his tenure of office limited to two terms of four years each. 
John Seybert and Thomas Buck were authorized to effect the 
changes, and John Dreisbach and Henry Niebel to inspect the 
book before its publication. 

The General Conference of 1839 also made material changes 
and additions. For the changes in the episcopacy the reader is 
referred to the article on the Episcopacy. This conference de- 
fined and limited the scope and power of the General Conference, 
for which no provisions had hitherto been made. Orwig says : 
** Together with these changes of the Discipline, some more were 
made, and a number of new clauses and rules introduced, espe- 
cially in the chapter of Temporal Economy. Of these new laws 
and rules, the following are the most important : * Of selling and 
using spirituous liquors,' *of slavery,* the above mentioned con- 
stitution or rules touching the powers of the General Conference, 
and the section *of the support of missions.*** (Orwig, page 
260.) 

Other great changes were made, from time to time, but we 
deem the foregoing sufficient for the purpose of showing the gen- 
eral character and development of the Discipline, which is the 
Constitution of the Evangelical Association. 

Proposed Union With Other Churches. The Evangel- 
ical Association has existed for a period of almost 100 years, and 
in that time has developed features and peculiarities which are 
sufficient to indicate her distinctive character as a religious de- 
nomination. In the earlier part of her history, it was thought by 
many, that the Association would eventually be absorbed by one 
of the stronger Methodistic bodies, or a union would be formed 
with one of the weaker ones. Instead of this, the great Head 
of the Church, has opened new channels of usefulness for the 
Association, and very materially strengthened the elements of 



170 BVANGBLIGAL ASSOCIA 2 ION ANNALS. 

perpetuity. As a matter of historical interest we will note a few 
of the movements looking toward a union of the Association with 
other denominations. 

On August 2, i8io, John Dreisbach met Bishop Asbury and 
Rev. Henry Boehm, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, near 
Halifax, Pa. The meeting was on the public road, and acci- 
dental. After conversing on minor topics, the subject of a union 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church came under consideration. 
The character of the conversation may be inferred from the fol- 
lowing account from Orwig*s history, as given by John Dreis- 
bach himself : 

^*The bishop made me a very liberal and respectable offer, 
on certain conditions, to unite with his Church. I was to with- 
draw from the Evangelical Association, and go with them to Bal- 
timore to attend their conference, there to join them, and to 
travel a year with Jacob Gruber, who was then presiding elder, 
for the purpose of better acquainting myself with the English 
language, wherein Brother G. might be very useful to me, that 
I might then be able to preach according to circumstances, both 
in English and in German ; and I was to receive my salary as if 
I had traveled on a circuit, etc. Moreover, the bishop remarked 
that, by being able to preach in both languages, I could make 
myself so much more useful, and that among them there would 
be less dangar of my becoming self-conceited and falling away, 
than in my present position. But, however enticing the offer 
and truthful the statement of the bishop was, yet I could not de- 
termine in my mind to take such a treacherous step toward the 
Evangelical Association. 

**I, therefore, told the bishop that we considered ourselves 
called of God to labor principally among the German population, 
and that thus far our labors had not been in vain. To this he 
replied, that the German language could not exist much longer 
in this country. I rejoined that if this should ever be the case, 
it would then be time enough to discontinue preaching in Ger- 
man, and gave it as my opinion that this would not very soon 
occur, but that the German language would rather increase, at 
least as long as the immigration from the Old World would con- 
tinue. I then gave him my views, in which I expected my breth- 
ren to concur, and made him the following offer : * If you will 
give us German circuits, districts, and conferences, we are wil- 
ling to make your Church ours, be one people with you, and 



THE EABLT DA T8. 171 

have one and the same Church government.' 'This cannot be — 
it would not be expedient, * was the bishop's reply. " (Page 57.) 

The prospect of a union with that denomination was more or 
less agitated, until 187 1, when delegates from the Methodist 
Episcopal Church appeared before the General Conference of 
the Evangelical Association, with overtures, and the question 
was then finally settled in the negative. 

The prospects of a union with the United Brethren in Christ 
were more promising, and seemed almost certain of consumation. 
To this end Bishop Christian Newcomer, of that denomination, 
labored hard, as the following extracts from his journal will 
show : * 

*'April 21, (1813) — Reached Martin Dreisbach*s. The 
Albright brethren had their conference here ; eighteen preach- 
ers were assembled. I tarried with them till the 24th. During 
my stay we discussed the propriety and practicability of a union 
between the two societies. I laid the Discipline of the United 
Brethren before them for examination. They made no objec- 
tions thereto, on the contrary appeared to approve the same. 
They delivered to me a written communication on the subject 
addressed to the conference of the United Brethren; so I de- 
parted. 

*'Nov. 9, (1813) — This forenoon we had a meeting at Chas. 
Stroub's. Rode to Chas. Walter's, on Middle Creek; preached, 
etc. loth — This forenoon preached at Mr. Mack's, near New 
Berlin, from Psalm xxxiv., last four verses, nth — The purpose 
of our journey to this place was to try whether a union could not 
be effected between the United Brethren in Christ, and the peo- 
ple denominated the Albright brethren. This forenoon the 
following brethren were present : Ch. Crum, Joseph Hoffman, 
Jacob Baulus, and myself, of our society, and Miller, Walter, 
Dreisbach, and Niebel, of the Albright brethren. Our con- 
sultation continued until the 13th, but we were not able to effect 
a union. The greatest stumbling block appeared to be this, that 
according to our Discipline our local preachers have a vote in 
the conference, as well as the traveling preachers. This was a 

* Remarks in parenthesis by the Author. 

Note. — Straub's and Walter's were Evangelical preaching places, in 
(now) Snyder county. Mack lived in Dry Valley, Union county, Pa. It is 
evident this was a committe meeting of representatives of both societies, of which 
there has been no record in our Church histories thereto. 



172 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

sine qua non, which the Albright brethren could or would not 
accede to. 

''April I, (1814) — I attended a meeting of the Albright 
brethren, near Conewago, and returned to Naylor's. Sunday, 
sd — In York. 3d — I rode with Brother Henry Smith to Jacob 
Klinefelter's. The Albright brethren had their conference 
here. Acol t fourteen or fifteen preachers were assembled. I 
made another attempt to effect a union between the two societies, 
but in vain.* 

''April 15, (18 1 4) — Rode to Michael Maize's, in Union 
county (near New Berlin). i6th — This morning I rode to 
Martin Dreisbach's (in Buffalo Valley, near New Berlin), where 
I preached with great liberty. 17th — I preached at George 
Miller's, from II. Peter ii. 5-8. (Rev. George Miller, two 
miles east of New Berlin.) i8th — Remained here and had a 
long conversation with Miller and Niebel respecting the union 
of our respective societies, but all in vain. We could not bring 
matters to bear. 19th — This morning I left them and came to 
Frey's (Abraham Frey) . He rode with me to Charles Straus's, 
where I preached, from Rom. viii. ly.f 

"Oct. II, (181 6) — I preached at old Mr. Eyer's. (Father 
Abraham Eyer, six miles east of New Berlin.) 12th — Came 
to Martin Dreisbach's (in Buffalo Valley, five miles north of 
New Berlin). 13th — This day we had a meeting here, forenoon 
and night, 14th — This day the conference of the Albright 
brethren commenced at this place. I attended the session, and 
stayed for the night at Wormley's. 

"Feb. 14, (18 1 7) — Twelve preachers, six of the United Breth- 
ren, and six of the Albright brethren met .this day at Henry 
Kummler's to make another attempt to unite the two societies, 
but we could not succeed in coming to an agreement." 

This was the famous "Social Conference," an account of 
which appears elsewhere in this work, and was the last attempt 
at union with the United Brethren. These extracts from the 

* The places mentioned in this entry were in York county, Pa. 

f The foregoing were all regular Evangelical preaching places, and men- 
tioned in this work. 

Note. — This was the first General Conference of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, which see. Bishop Newcomer and his colleagues again appeared before 
this conference to work for an organic union, and succeeded in having a com- 
mittee appointed to arrange the terms. See General Conference of 1816. 



THE EARLY DATS. 173 

bishop's journal not only show his own interest in the matter, 
but also disclose the fact that the subject of union was discussed 
at the conference of 1813. The reader's attention is also called 
to the very close connection between the ** converted people/' 
as they were called, as evinced by these extracts. The places at 
which Bishop Newcomer preached were all old **Albright" 
preaching places. Bishop Newcomer entered the ministry long 
before Jacob Albright, the founder of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, and his journal reveals the fact that they were intimate 
friends, and sometimes held meetings together. There was, how- 
ever, an evident difference in the development of the societies 
they represented, which, in the opinion of Albright and his col- 
leagues, was inimical to a union. The following extract will 
indicate the character of one of these differences : 

*<The lack of denominational spirit also worked to the serious 
injury of the Church, even down to a period as late as 1830. 
The brethren, as already seen, were converts to Christ, gathered 
from the various German Churches, — all of whom were of the 
straightest sect, — against the intolerant spirit which they had 
been accustomed. The reaction of those converts, when they 
found themselves to be all one in Christ by virtue of the new 
birth, was so powerful as to push many of them in an opposite 
direction. " * 

We have already shown, in the first part of this work, that 
Albright did not approve of the continued severance of the 
*< converted people" from ecclesiastical connections. Hence he 
organized his followers, when less than two score in number. 
He believed that God had a hand in this movement, and deemed 
it best to follow the leadings of Providence in the future, as he 
had experienced them in the past. This feeling was shared by 
his colleagues, as plainly shown in the reply of Dreisbach to the 
overtures of Bishop Asbury. 

On this line the Evangelical Association continued to develop 
from year to year. The Lord Jesus gradually opened new and 
more extensive avenues of usefulness, which she entered in His 
name. In view of the many attempts to effect a union with other 
connections, and attendant failures, and the deeply rooted con- 
viction of tne ministry of the Evangelical Association that Prov- 
idence raised her up to perform a special work, it is not probable 

♦Lawrence's History of the United Brethren Church, Vol. II., page 24. 



174 EN ANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

that she will cease to exist as a religious body in the near future. 
The Guiding Hand is continually leading her into wider fields, 
all covered with a ripening harvest of souls, into which she enters 
to fulfil her divine mission. 

The Laugitage Question. We have already noticed, in 
the first chapter of this work, that the Evangelical Association 
had her origin among the Germans of Pennsylvania. These con- 
ditions strongly impressed her early ministry with a sense of their 
providential call to labor among the Germans, and this view of 
their mission exercised a controlling influence in many important 
events of the early history of the Association. One of the rea- 
sons why little attention was paid to the English element, was 
the fact that the Methodist Episcopal Church, which held essen- 
tially the same doctrines, and pursued the same evangelistic 
methods, was supposed to fully occupy that field. 

It will be observed that in the interview recorded between 
Bishop AsBURY, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and John 
Dreisbach, of the Evangelical Association, the latter agreed 
on behalf of the Association to an organic union with the former 
on condition that they be permitted to carry out thier project in 
relation to the Germans. The bishop's non-approval of the pro- 
posal is one of the reasons for the separate existence of the Evan- 
gelical Association. In his proposal to the bishop, Dreisbach 
simply reflected the general conviction of the Evangelical minis- 
try in regard to their mission among the Pennsylvania Germans. 

Towards the close of the first quarter of the century, circum- 
stances made it absolutely necessary for the preachers who were 
able to do so, to use the English language to some extent, be- 
cause that was the language of the land, and where the societies 
were small, and the Germans were scattered, it became a ques- 
tion of preaching English or suffering extinction, which in many 
instances happened by absorption into a sister Church. 

The Evangelical preachers too often allowed their German 
predilections to prevail over their manifest denominational inter- 
ests, and hence many calls from English quarters were unheeded 
and many open doors in the interior towns and cities of the State 
were passed by. In some localities, where societies were formed, 
the work was suffered to die, instead of resorting to a change of 
language, and English missions were established in the same 
places many years afterwards. Thus the Evangelical Associa- 
tion has often been regarded as an intruder upon fields of which 



THE EARLY DAYS. 175 

she was the original occupant. Whatever our views may be con- 
cerning the convictions of our early preachers in respect to the 
Germans, their short-sighted policy in abandoning fields, rather 
than change the language of worship, is to be deeply deplored. 
Notwithstanding the indifference of the Church to the English 
element, a number of societies were established where English 
predominated. In 1825 there were such societies in Virginia, 
Maryland, the Cumberland Valley, and elsewhere in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

History of John Hamilton. In this connection we give 
a brief account of the first English preacher of the Association, 
in his relation with the subject now under consideration, as his 
career had a far-reaching influence on the polity of the Church. 
His course subsequent to his expulsion is given simply as a mat- 
ter of interest. 

In 1825 John Hamilton*, a young man of remarkably fine 
abilities, entered the active ranks of the ministry. Although ex- 
clusively English, he nevertheless grew rapidly in favor and was 
soon regarded as one of the most eloquent men of the Church. 
He became very popular in the Cumberland Valley and Virginia, 
and it seemed as though the right man had came at last to lead 
the way through the transition period. But the time was not yet 
ripe. The Church must first learn a lesson from sad experience. 
In many portions of the Church the transition of language had 
already begun, and Hamilton was justly regarded as the leader 
of the English element. In 1830 he became somewhat radical 
in his views regarding the faith and polity of the Church, and 
published the same in a pamphlet. That he represented the 
spirit of transition from the old to the new in many particulars, 
the leading men of the Church at that time failed to see, and it 
is to be regretted that he was not met by his brethren in the spirit 
of forbearance. In 183 1 he was expelled from the society, but 
had the sympathy of most of the younger and progressive portion 
of the ministry. 

After this summary treatment, it was quite natural for Ham- 
ilton to become more radical than ever, and once cut loose from 
his ecclesiastical moorings, he soon drifted far away. His avowed 
purpose, while still connected with the society, was to bring her 
back again to the fundamental principles established by Albright, 
from which he held she had departed. His chief following was 
in Virginia, where he set about establishing an independent 



176 EVANGELICAL A8800IA TION ANNALS, 

society. He at first met with some success, and a number of the 
ministers and many of the members in Virginia adhered to him. 
In 1833 he and a number of his adherents held a conference, 
when the following articles were adopted : * 

**We, the subscribers, ministers of the Gospel, have met on 
Sept. 28, 1833, and adopted the following resolutions: 

*'i. This society shall be called the Christian Church, and 
never by any other name. 

**2. Jesus Christ shall be the only Head. 

* ' 3, Believers in Him, together with infants, the only members, 

**4. The New Testament the only rule of faith and practice. 

** 5. In mental matters each member shall enjoy his own senti- 
ments, and freely discuss every subject, but in discipline a strict 
conformity with the precepts of Christ is required. 

**6. Every society, wherever they associate themselves to- 
gether under the present rule, shall have the power of admitting 
members, electing officers, etc. 

*'7. Delegates from the different congregations shall meet 
annualy to consult the general interests. 

^'8. At every monthly meeting a collection shall be lifted for 
the poor and the promulgation of the Gospel. 

'* (Signed) John Hamilton, 

Robert G. Hunter, 
James H. Brewer,! 
John Dawson, 
Henry Dawson." 

At this conference they also adopted twelve reasons why they 
could not consistently attach themselves to any of the ''sects" 
then in existence. In the Fall of 1834 Hamilton and his fol- 
lowers held a camp-meeting in Cedar Valley, Va., which was 
well attended, but great disturbances took place, which were dis- 
astrous to the meeting. J. H. Brewer died soon after this, which 
was a great blow to Hamilton's cause. The work gradually 
declined, and Hamilton subsequently united with the Lutheran 
Church. 

Notwithstanding the failure of Hamilton's movement, the 

* W. W. Orwig is in error when he says (History of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation, page 157) that none of Hamilton's adherents came to the appointed 
conference. 

f This was *«J. Brkur," the first preacher of the Evangelical Association, 
in Virginia. 



THE EARLY DATS. 177 

work of the Evangelical Association sustained great injury, chiefly 
because of the repressive measures employed against the English 
element. Although it was evident that the English language 
would eventually supplant the German, and the transition was 
well under way in western Pennsylvania and Virginia, the Gen- 
eral Conference of 1830 adopted a course most subversive to the 
interests of the Church. We will let W. W. Orwig, who was a 
contemporary, speak of these critical times : 

**Some years before this conference (1830) several men had 
been received into the itinerant ministry who preached exclusively 
in English, and hence could travel only on a few circuits, the 
others being nearly all German, and as fears were entertained 
that the English language might prevail, this conference ordered 
that the itinerant ministry in general, confine their labors to the 
German portion of the population, and that no more preachers 
be received into that body, who had not at least some knowledge 
of the German language. This resolution vexed and discour- 
aged the English brethren a great deal, and its consequences was, 
that the English work suffered and languished till finally it died 
out almost entirely. Thus many parts of the country were, and 
remained closed against the Association, as by far the most 
States of the Union were almost exclusively, and the few remain- 
ing for the most part English. 

* ' Herein the Evangelical Association fared like most of the 
German Churches of this country; /. e., it learned a lesson by 
sad experience. In many parts they lost a considerable number 
of useful members, and even many of their own sons and daugh- 
ters, besides a great many others, for this reason, joined other 
denominations, who would otherwise have preferred to remain 
in the Evangelical Association. These are facts which no one 
can truthfully deny, and which were afterwards deplored by 
many of the preachers and members.*' (Page 153.) 

At the General Conference of 1843 the whole subject was 
under discussion for several days, and that body found it expe- 
dient not only to reverse its former action, but also took steps to 
encourage and foster the English element in the Church. This 
had a very beneficial effect, and the work in central and western 
Pennsylvania took a new start and progressed rapidly. 

While the author would not uphold the course of Hamilton 
after his expulsion, yet a careful consideration of all the circum- 
stances in the case, gathered from his contemporaries, both of 



178 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the ministry and the laity, inclines to the belief, that the course 
adopted toward him was harsh, and his expulsion unwise. The 
testimony of those best acquainted with him should have great 
weight in this matter. In 1827 Rev. Francis Hoffman, who for 
over sixty years has been a pillar in the Church, traveled Frank- 
lin and Berkley Circuits with Hamilton, as junior preacher, and 
in 1 83 1 he was sent to Berkley Circuit (Virginia) immediately 
after Hamilton's expulsion, to save if possible the interests of 
the Church in the very stronghold of Hamilton. In several in- 
terviews with Hoffman on the subject, he did not hesitate to say 
that Hamilton was a most excellent man. His life was above 
reproach, and had the brethren laid aside their prejudices against 
him, dealt less harshly with him, he would have been saved to 
the Church. In 1832 J. M. Saylor was sent to the field of 
Hamilton's operations in Virginia. He was a classmate and 
intimate friend of Hamilton. His testimony was exactly simi- 
lar to that of Hoffman, with this addition, that Hamilton was 
a progressive man, and while holding to the simplicity of the 
faith as promulgated by Albright, he was nevertheless opposed 
to some of the methods, and the spirit of exclusiveness prevail- 
ing in the society. Had the German brethren understood him, 
and recognized the fact that he represented the spirit of transi- 
tion, which the times demanded, and all could foresee must 
come, and had he been met in the spirit of forbearance, a great 
calamity would have been averted, and the development of the 
Church would have been along lines to which the leaders of the 
Church were glad to bring her in after years. 

It is a circumstance far-reaching in its relations to the subse- 
quent history of the Church, that while John Dreisbach and 
most of his Pennsylvania German associates,' on the one hand, 
accepted the situation, that the occasion for laboring in their 
original sphere in relation to language had passed away by change 
of conditions and circumstances. The European element, on 
the other hand, failed to harmonize with the lines of action of 
their American brethren, and thus was laid the foundation for 
racial prejudices and distinctiveness which had its influence in 
shaping the polity and legislation of the Church in a manner not 
always consistent with her original spirit and her prosperity and 
unity. 

In corroboration of this statement, we may here say that John 
Dreisbach, who had been one of the strongest advocates of the 



TEE EARLY DAYS, 170 

distinctive mission of the Evangelical Association among the 
Germans, himself led the way for the widening of her sphere of 
operations, by earnestly championing a change of policy at the 
Greensburgh General Conference, in 1843. At that memorable 
conference the Pennsylvania delegates (themselves Germans) 
stood unitedly for a complete change of polity in relation to lan- 
guage, and found in Dreisbach (a co-laborer of the founder of 
the Association) a powerful support. In later years he was quite 
pronounced in his declarations that all occasion for the special 
work among the Germans had passed away. He himself says 
{Evangelical Messengery 1855, page 60): **Now it must be clear 
to every candid mind, as we judge, that we were directed by Di- 
vine Providence to labor also among our English population; 
although in the commencement, we considered ourselves called 
of God to labor only for the good of our German inhabitants. 
Hence we acknowledge that we did not at first comprehend the 
full extent of our calling, as it has from time to time been dis- 
closed to us by the Divine guidance." 

Notwithstanding this change of attitude in respect to her 
sphere of influence by the original representatives of the Church, 
certain influences were brought to bear upon her polity by men 
of European birth, which have had a steady tendency to impress 
certain phases of Church life upon her, not at all in harmony 
with her true aims and original character. Let no German rashly 
conclude that we have an undue bias against the German char- 
acter. We must be true to the logic of history, and in doing so 
we must deal with facts and circumstances as we find them. The 
long array of controversial articles and editorials in the Church 
periodicals, along these lines, during the last three decades, 
abundantly show that a foreign born Church life is already too 
strongly prevalent in many quarters. The true Evangelical As- 
sociation makes no racial distinctions, and any influence which 
nurtures and fosters racial interests and prejudices, to the detri- 
ment of others, is wholly foreign to the true spirit of the Church. 
That the Church has good reasons for guarding well her interests 
in these particulars is becoming more and more apparent. 

The Ministry of the Evangelical Association. The 
Evangelical Association has suffered in some measure in the 
estimation of many, because, as is held, her ministry is not in the 
line of ** apostolic succession," and lacks the scholastic training 
given the ministry of the older denominations. By apostolic 



180 EVANQELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

succession we are to understand the succession of ordination 
from the apostles, through the representatives of the Church, 
down to the present time. It may be remarked that the advo- 
cates of apostolic succession, so-called, as the only valid ordina- 
tion, must assume a heavy responsibility, and are confronted by 
insuperable difficulties in establishing an unbroken succession. 
So great are these difficulties that many of the greatest scholars 
of modern times regard the doctrine of an unbroken succession 
as a myth. Even John Wesley, whose claims to be in that line 
were of the best, himself declared : **The uninterrupted succes- 
sion I know to be a fable, which no man ever did, or can 
prove" (i). It may be casually remarked that Wesley was in 
good company among Churchmen in his denunciation of th« 
'*fable" of the succession. The learned Chillingworth said: 
**I am fully pursuaded that there hath been no such succession." 
While Bishop Stillingfleet, one of the best Biblical authorities 
of modem times, declares : **This succession is as muddy as the 
Tiber itself" (2). A certain writer has said : 

"There is a consecration not of man. 
Nor given by laid-on hands, nor acted rite." 

The Evangelical Association recognizes this fact, as without this 
Divine separation and anointing for the ministerial office, all 
human rites would be insufficient, even though supported by the 
strongest claims of direct transmission from apostolic times. 

The Evangelical Association, as a branch of the Christiar 
Church, is, therefore, content with an ordination which comes 
through the laying on of the hands of the elders of the Church, 
whose lives are known and open to the eye of the world, and who 
themselves are persuaded in their hearts, that, the candidate for 
orders is called of God to preach the Gospel. It may also be 
added, that the ministry of the Evangelical Association has given 
abundant proof of its regularity in the Church of Christ, as it has 
met with uniform success. Many thousand souls have been saved 
through its instrumentality, and its power for good has been felt 
in a marked degree on three continents of the earth. 

While it is true that most of the ministers of the Evangelical 
Association lack the advantages of a scholastic training, they are 
nevertheless, as a class, close students in almost every depart- 
ment of knowledge that may be made contributa ry to their work. 

(i) McClintock & Strong Encyclopaedia. Article, •'Wesley," page 170. 
(2) Ibid, Vol. II., page 234. 



TEE EARLY DAYS. 181 

In relation to true Bible knowledge, and the interpretation and 
application of Divine Truth to the salvation of souls and the 
edification of the Church, they will compare favorably with those 
of any Christian denomination. The Church has never been 
opposed to an educated ministry, but has always opposed a 
scholastic training as a substitute for the special and spiritual 
gifts of God which alone can enable the ministry to render ac- 
ceptable service in the vineyard of the Lord. 

Hardships and Self-Denial. The early ministers of the 
Evangelical Association were impelled in their work by a true 
apostolic spirit. Aroused to a deep sense of the moral depravity 
of the age and the formal worship of the established Churches, 
their hearts were set on fire with a burning zeal for perishing 
souls. The doctrine of experimental religion being entirely new 
in many places, the preachers met great opposition there. They 
were decried as ** heretics," ** false prophets" and '* deceivers." 
The clergy of the old Churches denounced them from their pul- 
pits, and warned their members against them. Those who re- 
ceived them, or sympathized with them, were persecuted by their 
fellow Church members, friends and neighbors. Their names 
were cast out as vile, and all manner of abuse was heaped upon 
them. Their work called for sacrifices and self-denial unsur- 
passed in the history of the Christian Church. In many instances 
their income from their work was far less than their actual out- 
lay, and many itinerants, after several years of service, found 
themselves impoverished. In many instances, while the husband 
was engaged in the ministry, his family supported themselves as 
best they could. For many years all the money received by the 
ministers for support, was added together at the end of the year 
and equally divided. In 1811 the amount each man received 
was only $29.33. In the first quarter of the century the average 
salary seldom exceeded $50. In 1818 the support fell far below 
the actual needs of the preachers, and the conference was obliged 
to give each preacher a petition addressed to the members, to 
satisfy their needs. 

Note. — As illustrating the spirit of self-sacrifice of our early ministry, we 
insert the following from Rev. Francis Hoffman, Sept. 25, 1891: ''In the 
early part of my ministry, my income was much less than my expenses, and I 
several times wanted to stop, but my wife would not consent, so I was compelled 
to sell my property, consisting of two houses, to support myself in the ministry. 
My salary from 1826 to 1840, a period of fourteen years, amounted to $627.77, 
an average of $40.29 a year." 



182 EVANGELICAL AS800IA TION ANNALS, 

Higher Educatioii Desired. At the General Conference 
held at Greensburgh, Ohio, in 1843, the first action *was taken 
in favor of higher education. No definite action, however, was 
taken toward the establishment of an institution of learning, but 
a committee was appointed, consisting of Bishops Seybert and 
Long, and J. C. Reisner, W. W. Orwig and Adam Ettinger, 
who were instructed to devise a plan, or course of study, for the 
ministry of the Church. This plan was published in the Christ- 
liche Botschafter, March i, 1844, over the signature of the com- 
mittee. It consisted of a four years* course, and also contained 
directions for the proper improvement of time, and preservation 
of health, closing with an exhortation to seek the unction of the 
Spirit, as the only means of successfully applying the literary 
qualifications gained. An English adaptation of this course was 
published in the Messenger ^ Nov. 24, 1852. Since then the 
course of study has been extended and improved from time to 
time. A very animated discussion was begun in the Christliche 
Botschafter in 1846, and continued several years, on the subject 
of an educated ministry. It began with an article published in 
1845, from the pen of John Dreisbach, entitled, ** Teachers and 
Preachers Should Not be Ignorant. " The discussion of the sub- 
ject in all its aspects embraced over a score of articles from 
various pens, its general trend being that a converted ministry is 
indispensible to the work of the Lord, but a converted^ educated 
ministry is very desirable, and more efficient in general, and de- 
manded by the times and the enlightened condition of the masses. 
The discussion was fraught with good results which soon became 
apparent. In 1847 the West Pennsylvania Conference perfected 
the ^ri-/ Educational Society of the Church and published the 
constitution, and at the General Conference which met at New 
Berlin in the same year, John Dreisbach offered the first resolu- 
tion for the establishment of an institution of learning, which 
took tangible form a few years later. 

When Jacob Albright was assembled with his little band of 
co-workers for the last time on earth, he gave them this parting 
advice : **In all you do, or intend to do, let it be your aim to 
promote the honor and glory of God, and to promulgate and 
exalt the operations of His grace, both in your own hearts and 
among your brethren and sisters, and be faithful co-workers with 
them in the path which the Lord has shown you, and to which 
He will grant you His blessing." 



TEE EARLY DATS, 183 

Prayer and Call for Laborers. When the West Pa. 
Conference was constituted in 1839, a disproportionate number 
of the ministers chose to remain with the East Pa. Conference, 
while a number united with the Ohio Conference. When the 
first session of the West Pa. Conference was held in 1840, the 
number of its ministers was still further reduced, which greatly 
crippled the work. Charges which hitherto had been served by 
two and three men were now supplied with but one. The general 
condition of affairs was so serious that the conference appointed 
the following Fourth of July as a day of fasting and prayer, that 
God would refresh His work in the conference and provide 
laborers for His vineyard. The preachers were enjoined to 
preach special sermons bearing on the subject, the services to be 
held at nine o'clock in the morning, and where no preachers were 
at hand, prayer-meetings were to be held. 

A committee, consisting of George Bricklev, Charles 
Hammer and W. W. Orwig, was appointed by the conference to 
prepare and publish a pastoral letter bearing on the condition of 
the work. The letter appeared in the Botschaftcr of May 15, 
1840, filling nearly five columns of the paper, and was a most 
excellent production. It was divided into eight paragraphs, as 
follows : ( I ) A general review of the Lord's work in the con- 
ference. Reasons for encouragement and our duty to thank and 
praise Him for His mercies. (2) Scarcity of active preachers 
and the situation generally. (3) The responsibility of the con- 
ference in this matter. (4) Appeal to local preachers for greater 
zeal and more earnest co-operation with the circuit preachers. 
(5) Appeal to class-leaders and exhorters for greater diligence 
in their office. (6) Appeal to the laity to give the preachers a 
more liberal support. (7) Appeal to all for a deeper concern 
for the welfare and prosperity of the work of the Lord. (8) 
Reminder of the day appointed for prayer and fasting, and exhor- 
tation to earnest observance of the same. 

The effect of these measures was most salutary. Great pros- 
perity and general success attended the labors of the ministers. 
No other conference made such rapid progress. Plenty of 
devoted and gifted men offered themselves for the ministry. 
Since then scores of men have left the conference to enter the 
work in the West, and yet her ranks are always full, and all this 
in answer to prayer. (See Matt. ix. 37, 38.) 



184 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS 

Dwellings for Preachers. Resolutions to provide suita- 
ble dwellings for ministers were passed many years before actual 
steps were taken to carry them into effect. The first action 
taken was in 1812, when the conference resolved that efforts 
should be made to purchase lots and erect houses for the use 
of itinerants on Schuylkill and Northumberland Circuits. The 
trustees of said circuits were instructed to apply bequests for 
that purpose in equal proportions to said charges. This resolu- 
tion was never carried into effect. In 1832 the eastern conference 
instructed the trustees of the printing house at New Berlin to 
convert that building into a parsonage, at the expense of the 
circuit, while it still remained the property of the conference. 
In 1838 the same conference resolved : **That upon each charge 
a parsonage shall be erected, if practicable, and that the quarterly 
conference elect three men as trustees, who shall, by the advice 
of the presiding elder and preacher-in-charge, select a suitable 
locality on the circuit for the erection or purchase of such a 
house. " 

In the early days the preachers did not remove their families 
to the charges to which they were appointed. In course of time, 
when two-year pastorates became more frequent, they began to 
move from charge to charge, as they were appointed. In 1833 
Francis Hoffman removed his family from Orwigsburg to 
Mifflinburg, Pa. This was the first removal of a preacher's 
family to a charge of which we have certain knowledge. J. M. 
Saylor also was one of the first to remove his family from charge 
to charge. 

The General Meeting^ so-called, was the forerunner of 
the quarterly meeting as now in vogue among us, and was a very 
important factor in the development and establishment of the 
Church. In the early days it was customary for all the preachers 
to attend the meeting, and the members came from all directions, 
sometimes from thirty to forty miles on foot,* and some are 
known to have traveled a hundred miles to attend them. The 
appointment of time and place was altogether dependent upon 
circumstances. The brother agreeing to *^take" the meeting 

* The sainted wife of Rev. Francis Hoffman related to the author that in 
1824 she walked from Orwigsburg, Pa., to attend a general meeting at DANIEL 
Bertolett's, at Friedensburg, a distance of twenty-five miles ; at another time 
she walked to Turkey Hill, Lancaster county, near forty miles. She was accom- 
panied by six other single ladies. 



TEE EARLY DATS. 185 

was expected to shelter and feed all who came, unless, as was 
sometimes the case, other friendly doors in the neighborhood 
were opened to receive them. The meeting was held in the 
house, if sufficiently large, but the barn floor was also much 
used, and in Summer time the yard or orchard. The meeting 
usually began on Saturday afternoon and closed on Sunday even- 
ing, and consisted of preaching, testimony, praise and revival 
services. The brethren always sought to take their unconverted 
friends to these meetings, where they were almost sure to be 
converted. 

The first general meeting was held by Albright, on the day 
of Pentecost, 1802, at the house of Samuel Leeser, near Boyer- 
town, Pa.; the second immediately after harvest of the same 
year, at the home of John Thomas, Sr,, Decatur township, Mif- 
flin county, near the present town of Wagoner; the third at 
Jacob Phillip's, in Northampton county, about a month later ; 
the fourth on Easter day, 1803, at Solomon Miller's, Brunswick 
township, Schuylkill county. The meetings usually resulted in 
great awakenings and many conversions, of which there are many 
remarkable instances recorded in this volume. In addition to 
the religious exercises, it seems that considerable business was 
transacted relative to the affairs of the society, as the following 
instances will show: In 1808 there was no annual conference 
held, but in lieu thereof the business pertaining to it was trans- 
acted at a general meeting, held at the house of John Brobst, 
in Albany township, Berks county, on Easter day, at which time 
Albright stationed his preachers for the last time. In 1809 the 
second annual conference was held, at which time elder's orders 
were voted John Walter and John Dreisbach, and at a general 
meeting held several months later, at the house of Henrv Eby, 
near Lebanon, they and George Miller (whose orders had 
been voted him in 1807) were solemnly ordained; This was a 
great event in the early history of the society. 

The Quarterly Meeting. In course of time, as the work 
became more extensive and the membership multiplied, the 
general meetings were more confined to the separate charges, 
occurring at regular intervals, and thus generally developed into 
the quarterly meeting, conducted by a presiding elder or his 
substitute. The quarterly meeting consists, first, of a business 
meeting, attended by the officials of the charge ; second, the 
religious service connected with the dispensation of the Lord's 



186 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

Supper. The business meeting, or quarterly conference, was 
usually preceded by a religious service and a sermon on Chris- 
tian duties. 

Protracted MeetiugSy as now conducted among us, were 
unknown in the early days of the Church. The first report of 
what seems to have been the first meeting of this kind appeared 
in the Christliche Botschafter, in August, 1836, from Rev. Jacob 
Boas, who then served Erie Circuit. The report is as follows : 

**Erie County, June 27, 1836. 
'*It affords me pleasure to have an opportunity of telling, 
through the Botschafter, what the Lord is doing in various local- 
ities on Erie Circuit. Although in comparison with the work in 
other places, it seems insignificant, yet when we take into con- 
sideration the severe opposition from the ungodly, etc., it is 
nevertheless remarkable, and we can say with pleasure, 'The 
Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad/ We 
had an eight days' meeting in a settlement about four miles south 
of Brighton, near the Conneaut Lake. It began May 27. The 
Lord was present and wrought so powerfully that I had never 
witnessed the like before. During the first few days there was 
but little stir, yet the Word of God often reached the hearts of 
the hearers, so that they melted, and bewailed their sins. On 
Sunday we had considerable stir in the meeting. In the even- 
ing a number prayed for pardon. On Monday we had three 
services and God bestowed his blessing, especially in the even- 
ing, so that sinners called upon the Lord for mercy and pardon, 
which they also realized through the prayer of faith. Tuesday 
at 10 o'clock there was preaching, and in the afternoon we had 
an experience meeting, when God's power was revealed among 
us, and hearts were softened and melted. In the evening quite 
a number of people were converted. Wednesday, June i, was a 
good day. In the evening, before I began to preach, the whole 
assembly was moved and sinners began to plead for mercy. I 
then delivered an exhortation, and God accompanied his Word 
with power to the hearts of the people, which caused a mighty 
noise among the dry bones. Here lay many smitten and wounded 
souls, yet, God be praised, many of them found the good Physi- 
cian, who can heal all infirmities, who also released them from 
their load of sin, and transplanted them into the fellowship of 
His children. Life was here, with shouts and praise to God. 



TEE EARLY DA Y8, 187 

On Thursday, we again had a blessed time, and quite a number 
of penitents were converted this day, and the meeting continued 
all night, so that we could joyfully say with Peter, *Lord, it is 
good for us to be here. * On Friday I preached twice. On this 
day a number found Jesus, to the comfort and joy of their souls. 
The same evening, after preaching, I requested all to arise who 
had found grace and pardon during the meeting, and who knew 
that they had passed from death unto life, whereupon between 
twenty-five and thirty were not ashamed to arise and testify that 
they had obtained peace with God during the meeting. 

*'At the close of the meeting I gave an invitation to all who 
desired to unite with the Association, and a considerable number 
of the newly converted gave me their right hand, to go with us to 
the kingdom of heaven. Two years ago we had no members in 
this locality, but now we have a congregation consisting of near 
fifty members. Now we prosper. The persecution since our 
meeting is pretty severe. Still the Lord is with His people, and 
all things shall work together for good to them that love Him. 

**I believe it would in general be a great advantage on the 
various circuits, if more such protracted meetings were held, be- 
cause frequently, when the two or three days* meetings are held, 
the interest is not reached until near the close. Then they are 
ended, and perhaps little good has been accomplished, and the 
work of God's servants is sometimes almost in vain.* But if 
such meetings were continued, many more precious souls might 
be saved. In many cases they go home under the pressure of 
their sins, and perhaps after a while became cold and indifferent, 
and may never again come to such a realization of their state. 
O, brethren in the Gospel ! let us work right earnestly in the 
vineyard of the Lord, and make use of every good means pos- 
sible for the salvation of souls and the extension of the kingdom 
of Christ. 

'*In the beginning of this month, I held a three day^ meet- 
ing in Mayer's settlement, near Clarksville, where the Lord be- 
stowed his blessing. God's children were revived, and sinners 

* The idea of Boas was that the general or quarterly meeting should be con- 
tinued, or followed up with services specially intended to bring about the con- 
version of souls under conviction. This idea was favorably received. The 
following year, 1837, in the announcement of the dedication of our first church 
in Philadelphia, John Seybert, the presiding elder, adds : "The services will 
be continued during the week, and as long as it may be advisable." 



188 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNAL8. 

became alarmed, so that they prayed to God earnestly for the 
pardon of their sins. Several went away wounded, while others 
realized the pardon of their sins the following Monday, after 
earnestly pleading, and were made happy in God. Things are 
prosperous, in general, in our borders. There have been con- 
versions again and again since we are on this district, and God's 
children are encouraged. The prospects in many places are 
good for conversions. We live in good hopes that Babel will 
soon fall, and Christ's kingdom will be established. J. Boas." 

Camp-Meetings were introduced into the society in 1810, 
and have ever since been an important means for the promotion 
of the work of the Lord. The Jirsf one was held on the land of 
Brother Michael Maize, about one and a half miles east of New 
Berlin, Pa., and began May 10, 18 10. This seems to have been 
the first German camp-meeting ever held either in America or 
Europe. Great multitudes attended it, and the society entered 
a new opoch of its history. Another camp was held the follow- 
ing October, on the land of Rev. George Miller, in Allemangel 
Comer, Berks county. The fAtrd camp was held in the latter 
part of May, 18 11, on the land of Philip Breitenstein, near 
Lebanon. The year 181 2 was a year of sifting and sore trial for 
the society, and it appears no camp-meeting was held. In 18 13 
there was one held at Turkey Hill, Lancaster county, beginning 
Sept. I, and another at Michael Maize's, beginning Sept. 8, 
both of which resulted in many conversions. In 1 814 four camp- 
meetings were held, one in Warrington township, York county, 
on the land of Michael Jacobs, which was the first one in York 
county ; another on the land of Daniel Bertolett, near Fried- 
ensburgh ; a third one several miles northwest of Mifflinburgh, 
Union county, on the land of John Buechler, and the fourth 
on the land of George Swartz, near Millheim, Centre county. 
In 18 1 5 six meetings were held as follows: (i) Near Shrews- 
bury, York county, on the land of John Seitz; (2) Near Man- 
heim, Lancaster county, on the land of Rev. John Seybert; 
(3) West of Jonestown, Lebanon county, on the land of Adam 
Faber; (4) In Buffalo Valley, Union county, on the land of 
Father Martin Dreisbach; (5) A few miles east of Hagers- 
town, Md., on the land of Leonard Middlekauff; (6) In 
Somerset county. 

Some of the most interesting and exciting episodes in the his- 
tory of the Church are connected with the camp-meetings, not 



THE EARLY DAT8, 189 

only in the early days, but also in comparatively recent years. 
It was nothing unusual for mobs to attack the camp and break 
it up altogether. In a number of instances the evil designs of 
tne ruffians were thwarted by special providences. Sometimes 
God's people would fall upon their knees and cry mightily for 
help. This would sometimes over-awe the mob and strike terror 
to the hearts of some, who would fall down at the altar and plead 
for mercy. It is worthy of record that in many places where 
the opposition against our Church was greatest, our work is now 
the strongest. 

In some localities the camp-meeting became very popular in 
course of time, and civic and military organizations resorted to 
them to hear special sermons. An interesting incident of this 
kind took place at a camp-meeting held on the land of Abraham 
BucHMAN, at ''the Pines," near Shippensburgh, where a consid- 
erable body of State troops attended service. In his report of 
Salem District, dated Aug. 20, 1838, John Seybert gives the 
following : * ' On Wednesday, July 4, the Independent Company 
came from Blockhouse in their uniforms, with music, and in 
military order, to the camp-ground, to hear a sermon. Their 
conduct was commendable. The sermon dwelt on civil and re- 
ligious liberty. The same night one of the soldiers became 
spiritually distressed, and cried most earnestly to the Lord for 
the pardon of his sins, which he also realized to the comfort of 
his soul."* 

In 1830 a camp-meeting was held near New Bloomfield, Perry 
county. Pa. Rev. J. M. Saylor, who was present as a visitor, 
was requested to preach on Sunday. An immense crowd thronged 
the ground, and there was great disturbance, caused chiefly by 
the under-sheriff of the county, who was very much under the 
influence of liquor. He encouraged the rabble in their disorder, 
against the entreaties of the peaceable citizens who took the part 
of the camp-meeting people. The disturbances were finally 
quelled and the encampment passed a quiet night. Early next 
morning four men, strangers, entered the camp-ground, talking 
in an excited and boisterous manner. Saylor divined their 
intentions, and advised the friends to remain in their tents, as 
there might be trouble. At this instant one of the men exclaimed, 
^'That's one of them," and proceeded to seize Saylor. He at 

* This camp-meeting was held on the land of Father CHRISTIAN EssiG, a 
few miles west of Blockhouse (Liberty), Tioga county, Pa. 



190 B VANQELWAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

first resisted, but discovering the character of the men he said, 
^* Excuse me, I did not know you were an officer/' This was 
the high sheriff of the county. Saylor was arrested without a 
warrant. The friends begged the officers to permit him to eat 
breakfast before taking him away. He was then taken to New 
Bloomfield, the county-seat. Great excitement prevailed in the 
town, and the people came in throngs to learn the particulars of 
the affair. Saylor was taken to a hotel, and while the officers 
of the law for a moment disappeared, he began pacing the floor, 
when he was accosted by a large man with the words : **What 
was up out there ? I guess king whiskey ruled out at your camp 
last night. " The man proved to be Mr. McIntyre, the leading 
lawyer of the town, who had come to befriend the camp-meeting 
people. He denounced the action of the sheriff as outrageous 
and a disgrace to the county, and said, *' We'll get you out of 
this predicament in ten minutes, and make it warm for the sheriff. " 
He advised Saylor to give no bail, as the arrest was illegal. 
Upon this the sheriff again made his appearance and said to 
Saylor, **Come on; you must appear before a 'squire," where- 
upon the attorney said, **Hold on, sheriff, I claim this man as 
my client. " Saylor was hustled off, however, to a magistrate's 
office, the good-hearted lawyer following to defend the innocent 
preacher. When Saylor appeared before the officer of the law, 
there was no indictment against him, no warrant for his arrest, 
and nothing by which he could be held, so the magistrate said, 
**Mr. Saylor, you are clear; you can go." The lawyer, turning 
to the sheriff, said, '^I will give you half an hour to call at my 
office and make this matter right." The sheriff, however, did 
not appear, and the lawyer advised a process against him. To 
this Saylor assented, and the attorney associated with him 
another able lawyer named Penrose to prosecute the case. 

The suit against the sheriff awakened great interest through- 
out the county. During the trial, which lasted several days, 
the court-room was crowded with interested spectators. When 
Attorney Penrose addressed the jury in the interests of his perse- 
cuted client, and described the shameful and cruel treatment 
inflicted on a weak and defenseless preacher, at the hands of 
officers who should have protected him, there was a great out- 
burst of feeling in the court-room ; many people wept, others 
were filled with indignation. The counsel for the defense then 
arose, not to defend his client, but to plead the mercy and leniency 



THE EARLY DA78, 191 

of the Court. Said he, **God forbid that I should justify the 
conduct of my client. I plead the leniency of the judge, on 
account of the family of my client," etc. The judge then charged 
the jury, denouncing the prisoner unmercifully. He declared 
that it was not ignorance that led the high sheriff and under- 
sheriff of the county to persecute the good camp-meeting people 
in such a barbarous manner, but **the spirit of the fourteenth 
century, the spirit of religious bigotry, and the spirit of the 
inquisition. " Saylor then asked permission to address the jury, 
which was granted. He explained that they were not prompted 
by motives of revenge in prosecuting the sheriff, but to vindicate 
more fully the cause of religious freedom. The sheriff was found 
guilty on several charges and fined several hundred dollars, 
besides the costs, which were considerable. Saylor desired this 
fine remitted, but the attorneys declared that the offense of the 
sheriff was not only against the camp-meeting people, but also 
against the fair name of the county and the dignity of the law, 
and a remission of punishment would defeat the ends of justice 
and prove detrimental to law and order. When the sheriff saw 
there was no escape from the penalty of the law, he fled from his 
home and left his bondsmen to satisfy the demands of the law. 
Saylor's counsel, who had so ably defended and vindicated their 
client, made but a nominal charge for their services. 

This prosecution of camp-meeting disturbers had a molt 
wholesome effect. Camp-meetings were thereafter unmolested, 
and the work of the Church was highly successful throughout 
that section. 

One of the most remarkable incidents in the history of camp- 
meetings occurred on Aug. 23, 1840, on the land of Daniel 
Shreffler, at Egg Hill, in Centre county. The author of this 
work was personally acquainted with a number of people who 
witnessed the wonderful phenomenon, and all corroborate the 
following account of Rev. George Brickly, which was published 
in the Christliche Botschafter soon thereafter. Brickley was the 
presiding elder in charge of the camp-meeting. He says : 

''On Sunday previous to the meeting, there was preaching 
on the ground,* and in the afternoon the friends and others from 
the vicinity, assembled for the purpose of holding a prayer- 
meeting. During the first prayer a violent storm arose which 

* The stand, etc., had been erected with some tents, but the camp-meeting 
proper had not yet opened. — Author. 



192 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

broke down the trees by hundreds, and many were torn out by 
the roots, but not a single tree on the camp-ground was broken 
oH or damaged. All around the tent area were strewn the fallen 
trees and branches broken off and torn down by the storm. Near 
the tent ground there was a tree of immense size, measuring over 
twelve feet in circumference, and very firmly rooted, so that it 
could not be torn up. This tree was broken off near the ground, 
although nearly sound all the way through. This may give some 
idea of the violence of the storm. The assembly was not aware 
of the coming storm, until it was too late to flee out of the woods. 
Several, however, made the attempt, but were frightened by the 
crashing and breaking trees and returned. But few remained on 
their knees in prayer ; most of them sprang up, and were much 
confused. Some cried out, <*We shall all be killed." Others 
were overcome by the power of God, and broke out in praise. 
The Lord demonstrated that He is with His people, and all were 
protected, and all who witnessed the scene acknowledged the 
hand of the Most High in the protection of His people." 



CHAPTER X. 



Institutions of the Evangelical Association, Embracing 
Her Educational, Missionary, Benevolent and Pub- 
lishing Interests. 

Tlie Higher Edttcatioil. The General Conference of 1843 
appointed a committee, consisting of Bishops John Seybert and 
Joseph Long, and Absalom B. Shaefer, to formulate a declara- 
tion expressing the views of that body on the subject of an edu- 
cated ministry. This action seems to have become necessary to 
correct a general impression that the Evangelical Association 
was antagonistic to an educated clergy. This committee not 
only voiced the sentiment of the General Conference of 1843, ^^* 
also of prior and subsequent ;times. It is the sentiment of the 
Church to-day, because it is Biblical. The report, which ap- 
peared in the Botschafter of Dec. i, 1843, is as follows :* 

**As the Evangelical Association is charged by many, though 
unjustly, with looking upon learning, or rather a classical edu- 
cation of the ministry, as altogether superfluous and useless, yea, 
even as dangerous and injurious, and despising for this reason 
all higher institutions of learning; this body feels itself called 
upon, and under obligations to declare and express its views on 
this subject in public, and to repel thereby this false charge. 

<'It is indeed true, that this conference believes and teaches, 
that all human wisdom, learning, and knowledge, without a di- 
vine call, and the unction of the Spirit, qualify no man for the 
ministry ; and that a man, called of God to this office, and filled 
with the Holy Ghost and with power from on high, without great 
human learning, or, as a comparatively illiterate man, can be a 

♦We give Orwig's translation, History of the Evangelical Association, 
oage367. 



194 E V ANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

preacher of the Gospel, and accomplish much good, if he fears 
God, and is conscientious in the discharge of his duties. 

''But notwithstanding this, the conference acknowledges and 
maintains, that learning, in the common acceptation of the term, 
or a classical education, is, in many respects, of great use to a 
man who is called of God to the Gospel ministry, and endowed 
with the Holy Ghost, and enhances his usefulness ; or, in other 
words, that he who has the Divine unction, and great learning 
can, in many instances, and even generally, accomplish far more 
in the vineyard of the Lord, and toward the conversion of the 
world and the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, than the un- 
learned man, though he may possess the same measure of Divine 
unction and grace. 

* * Entertaining these views of the advantages of learning in a 
minister of the Gospel, this conference recommends to all its 
candidates for the ministry, and to all the ministers generally, to 
take proper measures to store their minds with as large an amount 
of useful information as they possibly can, or to endeavor to 
become learned and literary rd^n, who have also the unction of 
the Holy Ghost." 

Utiioii Seminary. At the session of the West Pa. (now 
Central Pa.) Conference, held in 1854, it was resolved to estab- 
lish an institution of learning, to be called * 'Union Seminary of 
the West Pa. Conference of the Evangelical Association," with 
the provision that work should be begun as soon as |ti5, 000 should 
be secured. W. W. Orwig and Simon Wolf were appointed to 
collect funds and a board of trustees was elected, consisting of 
W. W. Orwig, James Dunlap, Jacob Boas and Lewis May, 
ministers, and H. High, H. D. Maize and Hon. Martin Dreis- 
BACH, laymen. The requisite sum of money being secured, six 
acres of ground were purchased, on a beautiful slope adjoining 
New Berlin, Union county. Pa. On this ground was erected a 
three-story brick edifice, 75x48 feet. 

The West Pa. Conference appointed a committee to attend 
the session of the East Pa. Conference in 1855 for the purpose 
of interesting that conference in the project, and to tender an 
offer to unite in the establishment of the institution. This offer 
was accepted by a rising vote, and the conference elected a board 
of trustees, composed of ministers and laymen, equal in number 
to that of the West Pa. Conference, and Solomon Neitz was 



INSTITUTIONS, 195 

elected agent to collect funds in the conference. The institution 
was chartered, and embraced a course of three years. 

In January, 1856, the seminary was opened for the admission 
of students. The faculty consisted of the following : President, 
W. W. Orwig, professor of moral science and German ; F. jHen- 
DRiCKS, mathematics; J. S. Whitman, natural sciences; A. S. 
Sassaman, ancient languages and literature; F. C. Hoffman, 
English and book-keeping; G. B. Dechant, vocal music ; 
Amanda M. Evans, preceptress and instrumental music ; Hester 
A. Stoner, primary department. The faculty was acknowledged 
to be a strong one. Soon after the seminary opened, a ** teachers' 
course" of three years was added, and in 1859 a ** classical col- 
legiate" course. The first class of five young ladies graduated 
in 1859. The scholastic year of 1858-59 was the most successful 
in the history of the institution. There were 264 students regis- 
tered. At the end of the collegiate year in June, 1859, President 
Orwig resigned, and Prof. Hendricks was elevated to the 
position. He was both able and popular, and worked hard to 
maintain the success of the school. In i860, however, he resigned 
and Prof. Sassaman accepted the presidency. The number of 
students during the year had been 241. At the close of the year 
1861-62 President Sassaman resigned and Prof. J. H. Leas suc- 
ceeded him. 

Misfortunes now began to press the institution severely, throat- 
ing its very existence. Chief among them was the fact that the 
large amount of money had been raised by the sale of scholarships 
— a plan that has proved disastrous to many other institutions. 
Then, also, the country was very much disturbed with anxiety and 
suspense, and finally the Civil War broke out and a large number 
of actual and prospective students enlisted in their country's 
service. The continued decrease of students and financial embar- 
rassment soon made it evident that the institution would be 
compelled to suspend, and this came to pass with the close of 
the Spring session of 1863. In the Spring of 1865 the property 
passed into the hands of the sheriff. Rev. M. J. Carothers, of 
the Central Pa. Conference, the newly-elected president of the 
board of trustees, determined to rescue the institution for the 
church, if possible, and by assuming its liabilities, in connection 
with several others, saved it from going into other hands. A 
society was then formed, called ''The Educational Society of 
the Central Pa. Conference of the Evangelical Association of 



196 EVANQELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

North America." Under this new control the school was again 
opened in 1865, with Prof. F. C. Hoffman as president. Al- 
though Prof. Hoffman was an able instructor, the school had a 
precarious existence for years. Its charter had been forfeited 
by the suspension and its field of patronage very materially 
limited. Prof. Hoffman was succeeded, in 1869, by Prof. D. 
Denlinger, who continued until 1874, when he was succeeded 
by Prof. F. M. Baker. In the Centennial year of 1876 the 
Central Pa. and East Pa. Conferences again united to establish 
anew an institution worthy of the Church. A certain amount 
was agreed upon as the basis of active operations, collectors were 
appointed, but, alas! it failed, and besides the wreck of its own 
prospects, the ** Centennial College" project diverted attention 
and interest from the struggling seminary. In 1872 Prof. J. W. 
Bentz became connected with the school, under Prof. Den- 
linger, and continued under the administration of Prof. Baker. 
In March, 1879, Prof. Baker resigned, and Prof. Bentz succeeded 
to the presidency, continuing in that capacity until Autumn, when 
he resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. A. E. Gobble, the 
present incumbent. With the presidency of Prof. Gobble a new 
era dawned upon the school. Rev. S. I. Shortiss became super- 
intendent of the school, having charge of the building and the 
boarding of the students. In the Spring of 1880 a new curriculum 
was adopted, and in the following September a new charter was 
obtained for the institution. Soon afterwards there was added a 
commercial department, and in 1882 an additional course called 
* 'The Elementary Course. " The institution was now better equip- 
ped than ever before, and prosperity again began to dawn. 

At the annual session of the Central Pa. Conference, in 1883, 
the educational society made a tender of the institution to that 
body for a nominal sum, with the proviso that the conference 
assume its liabilities. The offer was accepted on condition that 
the liabilities shall not exceed $1,000. The transfer was con- 
summated at the conference session, and that body at once elected 
a board of trustees, who met in the seminary June 12, 1883, when 
the legal transfer was made to the conference. A collegiate 
charter was obtained this year, and the building was entirely 
remodeled and another story added. 

In 1887 the name was changed to ** Central Pennsylvania 
College." In 1890 a proposal was made to the Pittsburgh Con- 
ference that a two-seventh interest in the institution should be 



INSTITUTIONS. 197 

transferred to them. They to be entitled to two trustees in the 
Board, on condition that they take up annually a collection for 
its benefit, and in other ways use their influence for its further- 
ance. At the conferences of 1891 this arrangement was fully 
consummated. The institution now embraces five courses, viz. : the 
Classical, Scientific, Theological, Commercial and Elementary. 
Finally it remains to be said that the growth and prosperity of 
Central Pa. College is greatly due to the untiring zeal of its pres- 
ident, Prof. A. E. Gobble, A.M., D.D., who since 1880 has been 
its honored head. 

Plaiiifield and Northwestern College. This institution 
was founded in January, 186 1, by a joint committee of the Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin Conferences. The citizens of Plainfield, 111., 
having made a very generous offer, arrangements were entered 
into between them and the conference committees for the estab- 
lishment of the institution at that place. This arrangement was 
sanctioned by the conferences interested. The following invita- 
tion was extended to other conferences, and personally presented 
to them by the agent : 

* ^Resolved J That we invite any of our sister conferences, which 
may desire to unite with us in the erection and maintenance of 
Plainfield College, to do so, with the assurance that they shall 
enjoy equal privileges with this and the Wisconsin Conferences, 
provided they unite with us within a year from this date. '^ 

J. J. EsHER, of the Illinois Conference, was appointed agent 
for the institution, through whose instrumentality the Iowa and 
Indiana Conferences united in the compact, and in later years 
eleven others joined them. In 1863 R. Dubs was elected finan- 
cial agent, who proved an efficient and energetic collector, and 
succeeded in securing a considerable endowment fund, which has 
since been increased to over $100,000. 

Plainfield College was opened in 1862, with Prof. A. A. Smith, 
as president. The institution received its collegiate charter in 
1865, and graduated its first class in 1866. 

Plainfield being isolated from the railroads, and the buildings 
being inadequate for the purposes of the school, it was resolved 
to remove it. This was done in 1870, when it was established 
at Naperville, 111., as Northwestern College. Here fine and 
commodious buildings were erected, and with good railroad 
facilities the institution entered upon a career of great prosper- 
ity. Its curriculum embraced nine courses of study. The 



108 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

faculty has always been a strong one, and the institution has 
richly merited the success it has enjoyed. 

In 1883 President Smith, after a faithful service of twenty- 
one years, resigned the position because of the infirmities of age. 
He was, however, retained as president emeritus, and Prof. H. 
H. Rassweiler, Ph.D., was elected acting president. 

Union Biblical Institute^ as an adjunct to Northwestern 
College, was founded in 1875. It embraces a three years' course 
in Theology and Biblical Literature. It has an endowment fund 
of ;?3o,ooo, and is well maintained. 

Schitylkill Seminary was founded at the session of the 
East Pa. Conference in 1881. The committee to whom was 
entrusted its establishment consisted of seven ministers and two 
laymen. A suitable building was secured in the city of Reading, 
Pa. , on the comer of Sixth and Walnut Streets. The institution 
was formally opened Aug. 16, 1881, the exercises being held in 
the Eighth Street church. Rev. S. S. Chubb was the general 
manager, and Prof. W. E. Walz, principal. At the conference 
session of 1882 the new charter was adopted and the previous 
officers were reelected. 

During the Summer of 1882 Col. J. H. Lick, a benevolent 
citizen of Lebanon, Pa., made a munificent offer to the confer- 
ence toward the permanent establishment of the seminary. The 
trustees of the institution were instructed to consider the proposal 
and also to look after other proposed locations. The conference 
after mature deliberation accepted the offer of Col. Lick, which 
was as follows : Eight acres of land on which to erect the build- 
ings, situated at Fredericksburgh, Lebanon county, Pa.; a cash 
donation of ;j52o,ooo towards the building, which shall not cost 
less than $25,000 ; ^^3,000 towards furnishing the institution, and 
$1,000 towards beautifying the grounds. The conditions im- 
posed on the conference were duly met, and work on the edifice 
was commenced in 1884. The building is situated on a com- 
manding eminence, overlooking a beautiful valley with the Blue 
Mountains in the distance. The main building is seventy-five 
by fifty feet in dimension, with an eastern wing seventy-eight by 
forty feet, four stories in height, built of brick and stone, and 
cost upwards of $30,000. On Sept. i, 1886, it was dedicated 
with imposing ceremonies, all the bishops, and many of the 
leading men of the Church being present. Ths school opened 
with the Fall term of this year. In 1883 President Walz was 



INSTITUTIONS. 199 

appointed missionary to Japan, and was succeeded by Prof. J. F. 
Crowell. Prof. C. desiring to finish a post graduate course, 
Prof. T. S. Stein took his place as acting president. After com- 
pleting his course Prof. Crowelt. took charge of the school, 
but resigned in 1888, and Prof. G. Holtzapfel was elected and 
took charge at the Fall term of this year. Schuylkill Seminary 
embraces three regular courses of instruction, viz.: Classical, 
Greek and Latin Scientific, and English Scientific. 

LaFayette Seminary. This youngest institution of learn- 
ing m the Evangelical Association was founded by the Educa- 
tional Association of the Oregon Conference. The seminary is 
situated in the town of LaFayette, Oregon. The property was 
generously donated to the society by the citizens of the place. 
The dedicatory services were held in the chapel of the seminary 
Sept. 10, 1889, and the following day the school was opened for 
the reception of students under very favorable auspices. 

Albriglit Setnitiary,* the first institution of learning in the 
association, was projected at the first session of the Pittsburg 
Conference in 1852. A committee of five was appointed, to 
whom the work of establishment was entrusted, with directions 
to begin as soon as $1,500 was secured. When this was accom- 
plished a suitable edifice was secured in Berlin, Somerset county, 
Pa., and the school was opened in August, 1853, with Prof. J. F. 
Eberhart as principal. At the conference session of 1854 the 
number of students was 108. On March 8, 1854, the citizens of 
Berlin held a public meeting to give expression to their satisfac- 
tion with the school and take steps for the erection of buildings 
for it. Four thousand dollars was subscribed for this purpose. 
It seems, however, that the people generally in the conference 
were not prepared for the project, and the school began to lan- 
guish for lack of support. In 1856 the Ohio Conference invited 
the Pittsburg Conference to unite with it in the establishment of 
Greensburg Seminary. This proposition was accepted and the 
interests of Albright Seminary were absorbed by the new insti- 
tution in Ohio. 



* Note. — We give the following account of the defunct literary institutions 
of the Evangelical Association, not only as a matter of interest, but also to illus- 
trate the general desire in the Church for literary culture. In this direction the 
Church has experienced many bitter disappointments and vicissitudes, in common 
with other denominations, in the establishment of institutions of learning. 



200 3£VANQELI0AL AdSOGlATION ANNALQ. 

Greeusburg Seminary was founded in 1855 by the Ohio 
Confeience. At its annual session this year it was resolved to 
purchase the Greenfield Seminary building, situated at Greens- 
burg, O. The committee to whom the matter was entrusted 
consisted of Bishop Long, Rev. Chas. Hammer and Rev. G. F. 
Spreng. The edifice purchased was of brick, 56x36 feet. A 
committee of eight ministers and four laymen of the Ohio Con- 
ference took charge of it. The school opened Oct. 21, 1855, 
Prof. J. A. Reubelt, president. In 1856 J. Kanaga was elected 
agent, and a union was effected with Albright Seminary, under 
the supervision of the Pittsburg Conference. In 1857 Prof. A. 
A. Smith became principal and continued as such until 1862, 
when he was called to the presidency of Plainfield College. Prof. 
W. J. Hahn succeeded him and remained its head until its close. 
The Civil War had a disastrous effect on the institution. This, 
and a lack of interest on the part of the conferences under whose 
auspices it was established, crippled it very badly. Bishop Long 
canceled the indebtedness of the seminary, and in 1861 the Ohio 
Conference vested the title in him. From this time Bishop Long 
continued the school, at a heavy financial loss to himself, until 
1865, when he disposed of the property, and Greensburg Semi- 
nary was a thing of the past. 

Blairstowti Seminary was founded by the Iowa Confer- 
ence in 1867, at Blairstown, la. Prof. W. J. Hahn, formerly 
president of Greensburg Seminary, was its president. It embraced 
two courses, a classical course of four, and a teacher's course of 
three years. After being in operation thirteen terms, the insti- 
tution, unable to overcome the many difficulties with which it 
had to contend, was forced to suspend. 

Missionary Society. The Eastern Conference, at its ses- 
sion in 1838, organized itself into a missionary society, of which 
W. W. Orwig was president ; J. P. Leib, vice president ; J. 
Vogelbach, secretary, and T. Buck, treasurer. A deep interest 
was awakened in the missionary cause by this organization, aux- 
iliaries were formed and money was collected, which, at the close 
of the year, amounted to $500. 

Notwithstanding the prospective efficiency and usefulness of 
this organization, it was felt that a General or Parent Society, 
to which conference organizations should be auxiliary, was a 
necessity. At a general meeting held at New Berlin, Pa., over 
Christmas, 1838, a number of ministers and laymen met at the 



INSTITUTIONS. 201 

house of W. W. Orwig for the purpose of discussing the advisa- 
bility of organizing such a society. At this meeting a committee, 
composed of Revs. John Seybert, George BRicKLEvand W.W. 
Orwig, was appointed to prepare a constitution for adoption at 
a subsequent meeting. On March i, 1839, another meeting was 
held at the house of John S. Dunkel, in Buffalo Valley, near 
New Berlin. At this meeting the missionary society of the Evan- 
gelical Association was organized, and the constitution prepared 
by the committee submitted and adopted. The officers of the 
society were the following: President, John Seybert; first vice 
president, James Barber; second vice president, Daniel Berger; 
third vice president, George Brickley ; secretary, Solomon G. 
Miller; correspondingsecretary,W.W. Orwig; treasurer, John 
S. Dunkel; directors (ministers), Charles Hammer, Henry 
Thomas, Sebastian Mosser, Philip Wagoner, Michael F. 
Maize and Philip Smith (local); laymen, Dr. I. Brugger, Hon. 
Martin Dreisbach, Martin D. Reed, John Rohland, Isaac 
Ever, John Maize, Leonard Gebhart and John Kauffman. 
At the General Conference held a few weeks later, the constitu- 
tion of the society was submitted for inspection, with the result 
that it was approved and the society recognized as a general 
church organization, at which time its official history properly 
begins. The previously organized society of the Eastern Con- 
ference became an auxiliary to the Parent Society soon after its 
organization. The first meeting of the board of directors of the 
general society was held at New Berlin, June 17, 1839, at which 
time by-laws were adopted. The first annual meeting of the 
society was held at New Berlin, April 21, 1840. At this meeting 
it was resolved to have 500 copies of the constitution printed for 
distribution. A committee, consisting of Charles Hammer, 
George Brickley and S. G. Miller, was appointed to have 
the society incorporated. The corresponding secretary, W. W. 
Orwig, read the first annual report, which indicates a prosperous 
condition of the society, and all the missionaries receiving sup- 
port from the society reported success on their respective fields. 
The receipts of the society for the year, inclusive of the ^500 
gathered by the conference society of the year previous, was 
111,434.31. The officers elected at this meeting were : President, 
Rev. Chas. Hammer ; vice presidents, J. Barber, G. Brickley 
and P. Wagoner ; secretary, S. G. Miller ; corresponding sec- 
retary, W. W. Orwig ; treasurer, J. S. Dunkel. This is in brief 



202 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

a history of the beginning of the Parent Missionary Society of 
the Evangelical Association. All the annual conferences are 
auxiliaries, while the Woman's Missionary Society may also be 
regarded in that relation. It has sent hundreds of missionaries, 
not only to the western frontiers and the Pacific and gulf coast, 
but also to Europe and the heathen world, and many thousand 
souls have been saved through its instrumentality. 

In 1859 the corresponding secretary was elected by the Gen- 
eral Conference, and from that time on that officer devoted 
himself entirely to the interests of the society. 

Woman's Missionary Society. The first Woman's Mis- 
sionary Society in the Evangelical Association was organized in 
Philadelphia, Pa. , in the Autumn of 1839. The society numbered 
over sixty members. They adopted an excellent constitution 
which was published in the Christliche Boischafter in December, 
1839. Soon after this the pastor forsook his charge> and through 
the commotion which ensued, the society was discontinued. 
Local societies were afterwards formed at several places in the 
Church, but there was no connection whatever between them. 

In 1877-78 a movement took shape which finally resulted in 
the formation of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evan- 
gelical Association. In 1878 there appeared in the Evangelical 
Messenger appeals on the subject by Miss Rachel Hudson, one 
of our missionaries in Japan, and also from Miss Ella J. Yost 
(Preyer), of Cleveland, O. About this time (1878) a number 
of the sisters in Cleveland, O., petitioned the Board of Missions 
for the privilege of organizing a society, auxiliary to the Parent 
Society, but their appeal was refused, through the determined 
opposition of several of the highest dignitaries of the Church, 
whose influence prevailed in the board. A second appeal was 
made by the society of Lindsey, O., in October, 1880, which 
would have met the same fate as the former, but for the earnest 
efforts of the editors of the Evangelical Messenger y through whose 
efforts, chiefly, the petition was granted, on the condition that 
the society be organized with the consent and under the super- 
vision of the preacher-in-charge where such society is organized. 
Under this arrangment the first society was formed at Lindsey, 
O., Oct. 27, and another about this time in South Chicago, 111. 
In the following year another was formed in Cleveland, O. The 
subject was agitated in the Church papers, and appeals were 
made to the sisters to organize local societies. The movement 



maTiTUTiONa, aos 

gradually resulted in the organization of the General Society, with 
headquarters at Cleveland, O. The central society was called 
the Cleveland Woman's Missionary Society, of which Miss Ella 
J. Yost was president. 

The third general convention of the society was opened June 
4, 1883, in Calvary Evangelical Church in Cleveland, O. Very 
cheering reports were rendered by the local societies and the 
prospects of the General Society were very encouraging. The 
chief aim of this convention was to take steps to secure the recog- 
nition of the W. M. S. by the coming General Conference (1883). 
For this purpose a committee of seven ladies was appointed to 
prepare an appeal to be presented to the General Conference for 
recognition. This committee consisted of Mrs. W. H. Hammer, 
Mrs. E. J. Y. Preyer, Mrs. H. C. Smith, Mrs. W. C. Kantner, 
Mrs. H. B. Hartzler, Mrs. S. P. Spreng, and Miss Minerva 
Strawman. The General Conference took favorable action, and 
the W. M. S. became an auxiliary to the Parent Society. 

The first general convention of the society in its new relation 
was held in the Calvary Evangelical Church, Cleveland, O., Oct. 
10-14, 1884. At this meeting the new constitution was adopted 
and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : 
President, Mrs. E. J. Y. Preyer, vice presidents, Mrs. H. C. 
Smith, Mrs. J. Bowman, Miss Minerva Strawman ; recording 
secretary, Miss Emma Yost ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. 
H. Hammer; treasurer, Mrs. U. F. Swenoel. In 1885 the 
convention was held in Lindsey, O., Sept. 25-27. The progress 
of the society was very gratifying ; forty-six local societies ren- 
dered reports. The treasurer reported the amount of $1,532.84 
contributed for the past year. The following officers were elected : 
President, Mrs. H. B. Hartzler ; vice president, Mrs. E. J. Y. 
Preyer; corresponding secretary, Mrs.W. H. Hammer; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. S. S. Condo ; treasurer, Mrs. U. F. Swengel. 
In 1886 the convention met in Naperville, 111., Oct. i. The 
auxiliaries numbered sixty, with 1,651 members. The contribu- 
tions aggregated;? 1,5 7 3. 95. The officers elected were : President, 
Mrs. H. B. Hartzler ; vice presidents, Mrs. H. C. Smith, Mrs. 
G. F. Stauffer and Mrs. Dr. Krecker; recording secretary, 
Mrs. S. S. Condo; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. H. Hammer; 
treasurer, Mrs. U, F. Swengel. 

"Missiotiary Messenger/' In the Autumn of 1886 a 
number of the brethren at the book establishment formed them- 



204 BVANOELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS, 

selves into a company for the purpose of publishing a paper for 
the society. Rev. H. B. Hartzler was the managing editor 
and Rev. U. F. Swengel publisher of the paper. It made its 
appearance in October of this year, and bore the title of Mission- 
ary Messenger. The W. M. S. Convention of this month adopted 
the periodical as the organ of the society, and Mrs. E. J. Y. 
Preyer was elected editress on behalf of the society. 

In 1887 the convention was held in Calvary Evangelical 
Church, Cleveland, O., Aug. 26. There were seventy-eight aux- 
iliary societies reported, with 2,048 members. The contributions 
amounted to $2,066.60, The following officers were elected: 
President, Mrs. H. B. Hartzler; vice presidents, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Krecker, Mrs. H. C. Smith, Mrs. F. G. Stauffer; recording 
secretary, Mrs. S. P. Spreng; corresponding secretary, Mrs.W. 
H. Hammer ; treasurer, Mrs. U. F. Swengel : Editor Mission- 
ary Messenger, Mrs. E. J. Y. Preyer. 

At the General Conference of 1887 the Missionary Messenger 
was tendered to the authorities of the Church and accepted, and 
taken charge of by the General Conference. The corresponding 
secretary and treasurer of the Parent Society became the editors, 
and also Mrs. E. J. Y. Preyer for the W. M. S. The society 
also petitioned the General Conference to permit them to devote 
their funds to some definite purpose, whereupon the conference 
passed the following: ** Whereas, Our sisters express a desire 
to undertake the support of a special part of our mission field ; 
therefore, be it further Resolved, That the support of our mis- 
sionary in Washington Territory and that of Sister Johnson in 
Japan be committed to their care, under tlie direction of the 
Executive Committee of the Missionary Society.** 

Ebenezer OrpHaii Home owes its origin chiefly to a spirit 
of benevolence manifested in several articles which appeared in 
the Christ liche Botschafter, about the year i860. These articles 
awakened an interest in the orphan cause throughout the Church, 
and contributions for an Orphan Home were freely sent in before 
any arrangments for its establishment were made. The General 
Conference of 1863, reflecting the general interest in the cause, 
authorized the establishment of Orphan Homes by the annual 
conferences. Ohio was the first to move in the matter, as in 
1865 George Weiker, of Belleview, very generously donated a 
fine farm of 100 acres to the Ohio Conference for the orphan 
cause. The conference at its following session, 1866, took prac- 



INSTITUTIONS. 205 

tical steps in the matter by purchasing a property at Tiffin, O., 
and elected Rev. J. G. Zinzer superintendent and collector, and 
also elected a board of trustees. The institution was opened 
July I, 1866, with eight children, and grew in favor rapidly, and 
soon the building was too small for the number of children placed 
under its charge. The farm donated by Brother Weiker and 
the property in Tiffin were accordingly sold, and several tracts 
adjoining each other and containing 170 acres were purchased 
near Flat Rock, O. The erection of suitable buildings was soon 
after commenced. At the General Conference of October, 1867, 
the Ohio Conference tendered the institution to the Church. The 
tender was accepted, and the General Conference named the 
home Ebenezer Orphan Institution of the Evangelical Association 
of North America. Brother Zinzer was retained as superintend- 
ent and L. Scheurman general collector. In the Winter of 1867 
Brother Zinzer's health failed and Rev. Charles Hammer was 
elected to take his place. By the latter part of April, 1868, the 
buildings at Flat Rock were completed, and on the 28th of that 
month the furniture and inmates of the institution were removed 
from Tiffin to the new quarters. The building is of brick, two 
stories in height, and consists of two wings, each 36x50 feet. 
The estimated assets, when adopted by the General Conference, 
was ;$23,6oo, which included the building then in course of erec- 
tion. May 3, 1868, the new edifice was dedicated with imposing 
ceremonies. 

In his quadrennial report to the General Conference of 187 1, 
Supt. C. Hammer reports that since the last General Conference 
(1867) eighty-nine orphans had been admitted and thirteen dis- 
charged. Brother Hammer was re-elected for another quadren- 
nium. In 1875 he reports that sixty-two children were received 
during the last four years and fifty-three discharged. The assets 
of the institution, after deducting liabilities, were estimated at 
$96, 208. At this conference Jacob Dreisbach, of the Ohio Con- 
ference, was elected superintendent and in 1879 he was re-elected. 
The estimated assets of the home, after deducting indebtedness, 
were ;^ 7 1,004. The General Conference of 1883 passed a vote 
of thanks to Supt. Dreisbach for his efficient services during the 
last term. The assets were reported at ;$ 7 1,530. Rev, E. Kohr, 
of the Central Pa. Conference, was elected superiatendent, who 
shortly afterward resigned on account of impaired health, and 
Rev. D. Strohman, of the Ohio Conference, was elected. 



206 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

During the quadrennium the home prospered greatly. H. 
Engel, who lived near Flat Rock, bequeathed a fine farm of 
fifty acres to the home, valued at Jt4,ooo. The institution also 
came in possession of the Stambach farm, in Indiana, valued at 
$4, 5 GO. The treasurer in 1 8 7 7 reported the assets to be 1 1 o i , 7 8 1 , 
unencumbered. At this conference Rev. C. K. Fehr, of the 
East Pa. Conference, was elected superintendent. 

The Charitable Society was organized at Orwigsburg, Pa., 
July 4, 1836, for the purpose of aiding the worn-out preachers 
of the association and preachers' widows and orphans. This 
chartered fund was the outgrowth of a benevolent spirit mani- 
fested by members of the Church who made provisions in their 
wills for this purpose, a number of bequests of this kind having 
been made prior to the organization of this society. The first 
large bequest was that of Maria Kuster, of Lehigh county, whose 
house had been a preaching place in the days of Albright. She 
willed her entire estate for the benefit of superannuated preachers 
within the limits of Pennsylvania exclusively, but the Eastern 
Conference, after acquiring the legacy, which amounted to 
$2,600,* very generously relinquished their exclusive claim, and 
it flowed into the common treasury. Previous to the organization 
of the society, the beneficiary fund had been accumulating for a 
number of years, so that it amounted to ;^4,3i2.o3 at the time of 
the organization of the society, at which time the treasurer of the 
fund. Rev. John Seybert, paid that sum into the new treasury. 
The first bequest to the society was made by Sister Kugler, of 
of Adams county, Pa., and amounted to $3,150. The largest 
bequest was that of Frederick Miller, of Washington township, 
Lehigh county. Pa. He was converted under Albright, and 
was a brother of Rev. George Miller, one of the first preachers 
of the association. His legacies to the Church aggregated the 
sum of $12,000, of which $8, i24f was secured. Other bequests 
were those of Bishop Seybert, $1,400; Henry Eby, $600; 
Daniel Kktiebel, $463 ; all from Pennsylvania. The entire fund 
in 1887 amounted to $24,822, the interest of which is divided 
annually among the conferences of the association. John 

* Notes. — ^This will was contested, and the amount here given was awarded 
to the Church. 

f This will was also contested, and the above sum realized after a litigatioa 

of si\ or seven vears. 



INSTITUTIONS. 207 

SEYBERTwas its president from its organization until 1844, when 
J. P. Leib succeeded him, continuing in the office until i860. 
Sunday-Schools and Sttttday-Scliool Literatttre. The 

Evangelical Association has ever taken a deep interest in Sabbath- 
schools. The first school organized was at Lebanon, Pa., in the 
Autumn of 1832.* The General Conference of 1835 directed 
that Sunday-schools should be organized wherever practicable, 
and they were accordingly organized in almost every church then 
erected. New Berlin, Philadelphia, Orwigsburg, etc. Interesting 
reports concerning our Sunday-schools appear in the first volume 
of the Christliche Bois chaffer (1836). 

Of literature our early Sunday-schools had but a scanty sup- 
ply, compared with the present time. The Eastern Conference 
in 1837 ordered the printing of the well-known tickets with Bible 
verses. This was the first direct provision in that line. Soon 
after this little Sunday-school books, including a small primer, 
followed and did good service for many years. 

Periodicals. The General Conference in 1855 made pro- 
vision for the publication of a Sunday-school paper, which made 
its appearance in January of the following year, in the German 
language, under the name of Der Christliche Kinderfreund. It 
appeared monthly, but after 1871 bi-monthly, and still later 
weekly, as desired. In 1863 the General Conference ordered 
the publication of an English Sunday-school paper, which made 
its appearance in 1864 as The Evangelical Sunday- School Mes- 
senger. It was also published monthly at first, then bi-monthly, 
and weekly in later years. The International Sunday-School 
Lesson System was adopted by the Church almost in the begin- 
ning of its appearance, and the lessons were published in the 
form of Lesson Leaves, and also in the magazines and weeklies 
of the Church. In 1875 the General Conference ordered the 
publication of The Sunday-School Teacher ^ and also lesson papers, 

*NoTE. — In the Christliche Botschafter of 1839, page 39, is found a report 
of the Lebanon Sunday-school, furnished by Rev. J. C. Reisner, in which he 
states that the "society" was organized in 1832, As the locality of the first 
Sunday-school in the Church has been a matter of controversy. Dr. C. B. Wag- 
oner, who has been connected with the First Evangelical Church at Lebanon 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school for over a quarter of a century, began 
an investigation into the facts many years ago, the results of which were conclu- 
sive. He found documentary evidence showing that the school was organized 
in the Fall of 1832, besides the testimony of several persons who attended the 
school at that time. 



208 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

in both languages, for the primary department. Under a reso- 
lution of encouragement from the General Conference of 1867, a 
company was formed for the publication of an English monthly 
magazine. This periodical made its appearance in January, 1869, 
under the title of TAe Living Epistle y and was specially devoted to 
the subject of holiness. In 187 1 it was tendered to and accepted 
by the General Conference, and thereafter appeared as one of 
the publications of the Church. It was much enlarged in 1875. 
The German monthly, Das Evangelische Magazine^ was estab- 
lished about the same time as the Epistle, The Epistle is edited 
by the English, and the Magazine by the German editor of the 
Sunday-school literature. 

Children's Day. In 1880 all Christian denominations 
celebrated the centennial anniversary of the establishment of 
Sunday-schools by Robert Raikes in England. At a meeting 
of the Sunday-School and Tract Union of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation in Cleveland, O., April 24, i88o, it was decided to observe 
June 27 as Children's Day, and the editors of the Sunday-school 
literature were directed to prepare a suitable program, which was 
furnished gratis to all schools desiring it. The collections of 
that day were devoted to the Sunday-School and Tract cause. The 
day was generally observed, and a general desire was expressed 
by Sunday-schools to continue its observance. It was decided 
to celebrate the last Sunday in June as Children's Day. Several 
of the annual conferences passed resolutions endorsing the move- 
ment. The General Conference of 1883 took cognizance of the 
matter. The day was continued by that body, and the editors 
of Sunday-school literature were directed to prepare the program 
annually. The collections on this day were ordered to be paid 
into the General Missionary Treasury. The day has ever since 
been celebrated annually with great enthusiasm, adding another 
source of revenue to the missionary treasury. The aggregate 
collections for the missionary cause from its first observance to 
1891 amounted to the enormous sum of $50,000. 

Book Establishment and Cliurch Periodicals. After 
an existence of fifteen years, during which time several works 
authorized by the conference were published, the society felt the 
need of a publishing house of its own. On Nov. 30, 1815, John 
Dreisbach went to Philadelphia and purchased a small printing 
outfit, which he presented to the society. The entire cost of 
press, etc., was $375.08. The following Spring he purchased 



INSTITUTIONS. 209 

additional material costing $65.50. In January, 1816, he went 
to Philadelphia in a sleigh to bring some of the material to New 
Berlin, but a sudden thaw necessitated another mode of trans- 
portation. 

At the annual conference in June following, a Board of Pub- 
lication was elected, consisting of seven members, viz.: John 
Dreisbach, Henry Niebel, Solomon Miller, Adam Ettinger, 
Daniel Bertolet, Philip Breidenstein and Christopher 
Spangler. To them was entrusted the entire business. They 
were required to render a report annually to the conference. At 
the first General Conference, October, 1 8 1 6, Rev. Solomon Miller 
was elected the first book agent, with Henry Niebel assistant. 
A frame building, 20x26 feet, was erected by the side of the first 
church, then also in course of erection in New Berlin, Pa. 

The next step was to secure a competent printer. For this 
purpose John Dreisbach went to Harrisburg to consult Chris- 
tian Gleim, an extensive publisher, who recommended a young 
man named George Miller,* who was well skilled in all the 
branches of the business, and was also a member of the Evangel- 
ical Association. Miller was engaged at once, and removed to 
New Berlin. As soon as possible the work of printing the new 
hymn book and Discipline was begun. 

In the first years of the establishment the Book Committee 
had but few meetings, owing to the absence of the lay members; 
accordingly, it was resolved at the conference of 1822 to constitute 
the committee of ministers only. This committee consisted of 
John Dreisbach, general book agent ; John Erb, John Klein- 
felter, Jacob Kleinfelter, J. Dehoff, D. Wolf and John 
Seybert. 

Towards the close of the first quarter of the century a season 
of great depression set in. Business in general was prostrated 
and money was scarce. This had a disastrous effect upon the 
little printing establishment, and it was deemed best to let it out 
to George Miller (**the printer") at a yearly rental of $60. 

*NoTE. — George Miller, ''the printer," was no relative of the preachers 
of that name in the Association. He was a most useful man, and served the 
Church faithfully for many years. In 1818 he married Margaret Zimmerman, 
the youngest daughter of Leonard Zimmerman, who was one of the first to 
receive Albright in the beginning of his ministry. Miller died Jan. 23, 1859, 
aged sixty-four years, three months and twenty-five days. His wife preceded 
him March 10, 1845, ^g^^ fifty-five years, nine months and twelve days. 



210 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

At the conference of 1827 it was resolved to sell the printing 
material and apply the proceeds to the management of the book 
trade. John Dreisbach, James Barber and Benj. Ettinger 
were appointed a committee to attend to this matter. At the 
following conference Dreisbach was authorized to sell the estab- 
lishment. Returning prosperity and the rapid increase of the 
society awakened a general desire for the re-establishment of a 
printing house and the publication of a periodical. A special 
General Conference was convened in 1836, at the house of John 
Ferner, in Somerset county, Pa., to take practical steps in this 
direction. A committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. P. 
Wagoner, Rev. W. W. Orwig and John Rank, Esq., who were 
authorized to purchase or build a suitable printing house in New 
Berlin. Orwig was appointed collector for the enterprise, and 
met with great success. The committee purchased a commodious 
brick edifice in the central part of the town, at a cost of $1,900. 
New printing materials were secured. Miller again took charge 
of the work, while the committee supervised the whole. The 
enterprise was a success from the start, book after book was 
published, and all met with a ready sale. Among the first works 
published were, *'Das Kernwesen der Erloesung durch Jesum 
Christum^^ (Substance of Redemption by Jesus Christ), written 
by Rev. Samuel Miller, a son of George Miller; Dow*s 
* * Chain of Reason; " * * Thomas a' Kempis ; " Miller's * ^Practical 
Christianity; " Collier's ' * Introduction to the Study of the Scrip- 
tures ;'' Fletcher's ''Appeal,'' and also a small hand Bible. 

In the middle of the century the business of the establishment 
had so increased, while the facilities for shipment from N^w 
Berlin were so poor, that a change of location was felt to be a 
necessity. At the General Conference of 1851 action was taken 
in the matter. The places put in nomination were Cleveland, 
Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New Berlin. Cleveland 
was selected by a majority of five votes. The condition of re- 
moval was that the cost of lot and buildings should not exceed 
the sum of $12,000, three-fourths of which should be raised or 
subscribed by Jan. i, 1853. Success attended the efforts of the 
agents, and in 1854 the business was removed to the newly erected 
establishment at Cleveland, O., where it has remained. The 
committee to whom was assigned the responsible task of removal 
consisted of Bishop Joseph Long, Henry Fisher, John Dreis- 
bach, W. W. Orwig, J. G. Zinzer and G. F. Spreng. A lot on 



INSTITUTIONS, 211 

Woodland avenue was purchased for $4*360, on which was erected 
a substantial three and one-half-story brick edifice at a cost of 
almost ;^8,ooo. In 1874 the building had became too small, and 
an additional lot was purchased, on which was erected an edifice 
costing over $40,000. To this was added another building ten 
years later, at a cost of $30,000. The whole now presents a 
uniform front, four stories high, on Woodland avenue of 123 feet 
and a depth of 100 feet. 

The enormous growth of the establishment may be inferred 
from the following quadrennial statement of assets : 1867, $84,- 
675; 1871, $153,186; 1875, $306,223; 1879, $398,568; 1883, 
$461,201; 1887, $498,483. Besides paying off the remaining 
indebtedness of the old, the new establishment was able to pay 
to the Church a dividend of $500. From that time on it has paid 
yearly dividends to the Church, with the exception of the years 
1839, 1842 and 1868, amounts ranging from $500, the lowest, to 
$20,302, the highest (1883). The total dividends to annual con- 
ferences from 1837 to 1887 aggregated $240,024.36, besides a 
loan in 1879 of $10,000 to the branch establishment in Germany. 

<<Cliristliclie Botschafter" and « Evangelical Mes- 
senger.*' The Christ liche Botschafter was established in 1836. 
Rev. Adam Ettinger and George Miller (**the printer'*) were 
its editors and publishers. It was eight pages, 8^x10^ inches 
in size, and published monthly, at seventy-five cents per annum. 
The list of subscribers was 700, which was increased to 1,100 in 
less than a year. At the special General Conference in Novem- 
ber, 1836, W. W. Orwig was elected editor, and assumed the office 
in April, 1837, serving also in the capacity of book agent. He 
continued in this two-fold office until 1839, when Chas. Hammer 
was elected book agent. In 1840 the Botschafter was consid- 
erably enlarged and appeared bi-monthly, and the price was 
raised to $1. Orwig continued as editor until 1843, when Adam 
Ettinger succeeded him. In the Spring of 1842 C. Hammer 
resigned the office of book agent and publisher, and T. Buck was 
elected in his place by the West Pa. Conference. He died the 
following October, and the office remained vacant until the fol- 
lowing General Conference (1843), when Adam Ettinger was 
elected editor and J. C. Reisner publisher. At the General 
Conference of 1847 N.Gehr, of the Ohio Conference, was elected 
editor, and H. Fisher, of the East Pa. Conference, publisher. 
The same conference having also ordered the publication of the 



212 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Evangelical Messenger, Gehr also served as editor of that period- 
ical. The Evangelical Messenger made its appearance on Jan. 
8, 1848, at ;^i per annum, with 800 subscribers. In 1849 Gehr 
resigned his office, J. G. Zinzer was elected in his stead, and 
Henry Fisher was chosen editor of the Messenger in addition to 
his office as agent, Bersch continuing as his assistant. Zinzer, 
however, resigned the office before he had assumed its duties, 
whereupon Fisher issued a call for a meeting of the Book Com- 
mittee June 21, at which time W. W. Orwig was again elected. 
In 1850 the Botschafter was again enlarged. Its subscription 
list had increased to 4,000. The General Conference of 185 1 
again elected W. W. Orwig as editor of the Botschafter and chief 
book steward, with J. G. Zinzer as assistant. Zinzer, however, 
resigned the office in the course of about a year, because of ill- 
health, and Bersch again served in his stead until April, 1854. 
The same conference also re-elected H. Fisher editor of the 
Evangelical Messenger, which was also enlarged. Fisher served 
in this capacity until his death, Feb. 20, 1854. In 1853 Orwig 
resigned the office of editor of the Botschafter and book agent, 
and the West Pa. Conference, which had the oversight of the 
establishment in the interim of the General Conference, elected 
Charles Koch editor, and M. F. Maize publisher. Maize, 
however, resigned, and Orwig continued to serve as agent until 
the session of the West Pa. Conference in March, 1854, when 
Charles Hammer was elected book agent, and J. L.W. Seybert 
editor of the Evangelical Messenger, In April of this year the 
periodicals made their appearance from their new quarters in 
Cleveland, O. In September Seybert resigned, and the Board 
of Publication elected John Dreisbach in his place. At the 
General Conference of 1855 Charles Hammer was elected book 
agent, Charles G. Koch, editor of the Botschafter, and John 
Dreisbach, editor of the Messenger. At the Ohio Conference in 
May, 1856, Dreisbach resigned on account of old age and infir- 
mities, and T. G. Clewell, of the East Pa. Conference, was 
elected to fill the vacancy. At the General Conference of 1859 
Hammer, Koch and Clewell were re-elected to their respective 

Biographical Note. — In 1837 William Bersch, a well-educated young 
German, was converted in Philadelphia. The following year he went to New 
Berlin for employment at the book establishment, and continued in the work until 
his death at Cleveland, O., Jan. 12, 1882. Bersch was a remarkable man, and 
his services to our publishing interests were invaluable. He always considered 
his connection with the establishment his life-work and providential. 



INSTITUTIONS. 213 

offices. In 1 86 1 both periodicals appeared as weeklies. The 
General Conference of 1863 re-elected Hammer as book agent 
and Clewell as editor of the Messenger, with W. W. Orwig as 
editor of the Bots chaffer. At the General Conference of 1867 
W. W. Orwig was elected book agent, R. Dues, of the Iowa 
Conference, editor of the Botschaftei-y and Clewell was re-elected 
editor of the Messenger. The Botschafter was again enlarged in 
1867 and the price advanced to %2 per annum. In 1868 the 
Messenger was also enlarged and the price advanced to ;^2. In 
the Spring of 1870 Orwig resigned the office of book agent and 
W. F. Schneider, of the Wisconsin Conference, was elected by 
the Board of Publication to fill the vacancy. In January, 1871 
Clewell resigned the editorship of the Messenger and R. Yeakel 
was appointed to fill the vacancy. The General Conference of 
1872 re-elected W, F. Schneider as publisher, R. Dubs, editor 
of the Botschafter^ and J. Hartzler, of the Central Pa. Confer- 
ence, editor of the Messenger. The General Conference of 1875 
re-elected Schneider and Hartzler to their respective offices, 
and elected M. Lauer, of the New York Conference, editor of 
the Botschafter. In 1879 Lauer was elected publisher,* W. 
Horn, of the Wisconsin Conference, editor of the Botschafter^ 
and H. B. Hartzler, of the Central Pa. Conference, editor of 
the Messenger. In 1883 the foregoing were re-elected to their 
respective offices, with the addition of H. Mattill, of the Kansas 
Conference, as assistant publisher. In 1887 Lauer and Mattill 
were re-elected publishers, W. Horn, editor of the Botschafter, 
and S. P. Spreng, of the Ohio Conference, editor of the Mes- 
senger. The Christliche Botschafter has the distinction of being 
the most extensively circulated, and perhaps the oldest, German 
church paper in America. In 1887 its circulation was 23,500. 
The Evangelical Messenger ranks also as a great religious jour- 
nal. In 1884 it was changed to book form of sixteen pages. Its 
circulation in 1887 was 13,000. 

The Board of Publication was established by the General Con- 
ference of 1859, to consist of seven members, and to be legally 
incorporated, and the members to be elected every four years by 
the General Conference. The first board, which was elected at 
this conference, consisted of Bishop J. Long, J. G. Zinzer, A. B. 
Shaefer, J. J. EsHER, S. Neitz, M. Lauer and A. Niebel. 

*W. F. Schneider, publisher, died Aug. 22, 1879, ^"^^ W, W. Orwig was 
appointed to the vacancy until General Conference. 



THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 



PART II. 

An Outline History of the Association, Including a 
Summary of the Transactions of the Annual and Gen- 
eral Conferences, From Its Organization to the Year 
1887 Inclusive. Arranged in Chronological Order. Also 
A Biographical Department. 



CHAPTER I, 



Annals of the Evangelical Association from Its Origin 
TO THE Year 1839. 

Prefatory Remarks. It has been deemed best to give the 
official records of the Association from its origin to 1839 as a 
distinct period. The reasons for this appear obvious upon con- 
sideration. This period was practically the old dispensation of 
the society : old notions, customs and methods largely prevailed. 

The annual and General Conferences were often held jointly, 
and the latter conference had as yet no constitutional limitations 
of authority and power. All elders could attend, as members, 
the highest body of the Church. 

The Church had no bishop during this period. Although the 
Discipline provided for his election, and defined his functions, 
yet the Church hesitated to invest an incumbent with what little 
power was left to such a dignitary after repeated curtailments 
covering a lapse of over a quarter of a century. 

It is true, there were two conferences from the year 1826, but 
the Western was only a nursling under the watchful eye of the 
mother conference until the close of this period. Her acts were 
subject to correction and revocation, and her records were an- 
nually spread upon the journal of the Eastern Conference until 
1836. The Western Conference depended on the Eastern for 
men to carry on the work among them, and new men were sent 
from year to year to replace the many who availed themselves of 
the superior advantages offered in the West to procure homes and 
those who could no longer endure the hardships of pioneer work. 

For many years the West was also in a great measure depend- 
ent on the East for financial support. The emigrants to the West 
were poor and unable to do much toward the support of the mis- 
sionaries, and the Eastern brethren continued to share their 



218 E VANGELIGAL A880G1A TWN ANNALS. 

scanty stipends equally with the Western, until the close of this 
period. Gladly did they make this sacrifice in the spirit and for 
the sake of Christ, for the advancement of whose cause they were 
willing with the Apostle Paul, to '* suffer the loss of all things." 

FIRST PERIOD— 1800-1839. 

Jacob Albright, the founder of the Evangelical Association, 
was born near Pottstown, Pa., May i, 1759. He was united in 
marriage with Catharine Cope in 1785, and soon thereafter re- 
moved to Lancaster county. Pa. He was converted in 1 792 and 
started on his first tour, as an independent evangelist, in October, 
1 796. Souls were converted through his instrumentality in vari- 
ous places, and in course of time he found it necessary to or- 
ganize them into classes. 

1800. First classes organized: Walter's class, near Quak- 
ertown, Bucks county; Liesser's, near Colebrookdale, Berks 
county, and Phillip's, in Hamilton township, Northampton 
county. 

1802. Albright holds his first general meeting in June, at 
Samuel Liesser's; his second at John Thomas', in Miffiin 
county, in August, and his third a few weeks later, at Jacob 
Phillip's, in Northampton county. The brothers George and 
Solomon Miller are converted. John Walter enters the min- 
istry as Albright's first assistant. Membership about twenty. 

1803* AbrahamLiesser enters the ministry. Fourth class 
formed, in Schuylkill county, George Miller, leader. Gen- 
eral meeting at Solomon Miller's, on Easter day. First council 
held, in November, attended by Albight, his two assistants, 
and fourteen laymen, who declare Albright to be a true Evan- 
gelical minister and ordain him as such. Membership, forty. 

1804. Second circuit (Northumberland) formed. Alex. 
Jameson enters the ministry. Membership, sixty. 

1805. George Miller enters the ministry. Abraham 
LiESSER dies. General spread of the work. Societies formed 
on the Muehlbach, at Jonestown, Lebanon county, and at Han- 
over, Dauphin county. Membership, seventy-five. Remark- 
able meeting at New Berlin, and establishment of the work there. 

1806. A year of great success. Among the most impor- 
tant steps taken is the establishment of the office of local preacher. 
Charles Bissy, Jacob Phillips, Solomon Miller and John 
Dreisbach are granted license as such. It is also determined to 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 219 

hold regular annual conferences hereafter. A collection is intro- 
duced, called the subsidiary collection, a sort of contingent fund 
applied to such purposes, as making up deficiency in salary and 
aiding the poor of the Church. Extensive revivals in both cir- 
cuits. Classes formed on the *^new'' circuit as follows: New- 
Berlin, Union county, Michael Maize, leader ; Thomas' settle- 
ment, Mifflin county, Fred. Harpster, leader; Millheim, Centre 
county ; Buffalo Valley, Union county, Martin Dreisbach, 
leader; Brush Valley, Centre county. Christian Spangler, 
leader ; Lewisburg, Union county. Christian Wolf, leader. The 
work also successful in Morrison's Cove. Membership, 120. 

1807. The first annual conference was held Nov. 15, in the 
house of Samuel Becker, on the Muehlbach, near Kleinfelters- 
ville, Pa. There were present five itinerant and three local 
preachers, and twenty class-leaders and exhorters. The society 
is named **The Newly Formed Methodist Conference." Al- 
bright is elected bishop and George Miller elder. John 
Dreisbach and Jacob Frey were received into the itinerancy. 
Albright was directed to formulate Articles of Faith and a Dis- 
cipline for the society. Membership, 220. 

Appointments: Lancaster and Schuylkill Circuit, George Mil- 
ler and John Dreisbach; Northumberland, John Walter and Jacob 
Frey. Jacob Albright, general overseer. 

1808. There was no conference held this year. At a gen- 
eral meeting on Easter day, at the house of John Brobst, in 
Albany township, Berks county, Albright stationed his preach- 
ers for the last time as follows : 

Lancaster and Schuylkill Circuit, John Walter and Jacob 
Frey ; Northumberland, George Miller, and John Dreisbach. 

Jacob Albright dies May 1 8, at the house of George Becker, 
on the Muehlbach, where he was also buried. M. Betz of Mill- 
heim and John Erb entered the itinerancy in Autumn. The lat- 
ter, who was associated with John Walter on the old circuit, 
took the place of Jacob Frey, who was sent to York county to 
establish the work, but afterwards withdrew from the ministry. 
Henry Niebel, of New Berlin, began to preach in the Winter. 
The society suffered unusual persecution. 

1809. The second annual conference was held in April, at 
the house of Rev. George Miller, Albany township, Berks 
county. Itinerants present were George Miller, chairman, 
John Walter, John Dreisbach, secretary, John Erb, M. Betz 



220 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

and Henry Niebel. Miller was instructed to write Articles of 
Faith and Discipline in place of Albright, deceased. The Dis- 
cipline was published this year. J. Dreisbach was instructed 
to publish a Catechism. This conference named the society 
**The So-called Albrights." George Miller was instructed 
to write and preach as his health would permit. 

Appointments: Lancaster and Schuylkill Curcuit, J. Dreis- 
bach, M. Betz and H. Niebel ; Northumberland, J. Walter and 
John Erb. 

George Miller, John Walter and John Dreisbach were 
ordained elders at a general meeting held at the house of Henry 
Eby, near Lebanon, soon after the conference. Glorious revivals 
took place during the year and five new classes were formed. 
John Seybert, afterwards bishop, was converted near Manheim* 
Jacob Phillips, local preacher, died. (For statistics of this and 
subsequent conferences see statistical tables.) 

1810. Third conference, April 18-20, at the house of Georgk 
Becker, on the Muehlbach. George Miller, president ; J. 
Dreisbach, secretary. Michael Becker and David Yerlitz 
were newly received ; John Erb and M. Betz were ordained 
deacons. A new circuit called Franklin was formed extending 
into York, Adams, Cumberland and Franklin counties, in Penn- 
sylvania, and Carroll and Washington counties, in Maryland. 
George Miller was directed to write and preach as his strength 
would permit. John Walter published a hymn book by per- 
mission of conference. 

Appointments : Schuylkill and Lancaster Circuit, J.Walter^ 
H. Niebel and M. Becker; Northumberland, John Dreisbach. 
and David Yerlitz ; Franklin, J. Erb, and M. Betz. 

The work made very rapid progress and fourteen new classes 
were formed. Camp-meetings were introduced, the first being 
held on land of Michael Maize, near New Berlin, in June, and 
the second on land of Rev. George Miller, in Albany town- 
ship, Berks county, in October. 

1811. Fourth conference, April 9, 10, on the Muehlbach, 
George Miller, president; John Dreisbach, secretary. Leon- 
ard Zimmerman was received on trial and Henry Niebel was 
ordained deacon. The conference recommended catechetical 
instruction, and the preachers were directed to organize cate- 
chetical classes on their circuits. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 221 

Appointments; Schuylkill and Lancaster Circuit, J. Walter, 
M. Betz and D. Yerlitz ; Northumberland, J. Erb and L. Zim- 
merman ; Franklin, J. Dreisbach, H. Niebel and M. Becker. 

Great revivals took place near Shrewsbury and Conewago, in 
York county, and near Shippensburg. Miller^s ** Practical 
Christianity'* was published. 

1812* Fifth conference, April 2, 3, at Martin Dreisbach's 
Buffalo Valley. George Miller, president; J. Dreisbach, 
secretary. Fred, Shower, Abraham Huth, Michael Diebler, 
Robert McCray and John Buchwalter were received into the 
ministry. John Erb was ordained elder. Several circuits were 
divided and a mission was established in Central New York. 
(This mission failed, however, during the year and was not re- 
established until 18 16.) 

Appointments: Schuylkill Circuit, H. Niebel and Abraham 
Huth ; Lancaster, J. Erb and Michael Diebler ; Franklin, John 
Walter and D. Yerlitz; York, M. Betz and M. Becker; New 
York, J. Dreisbach and Robert McCray ; Northumberland, L. 
Zimmerman, J. Buchwalter and F. Shower. 

1813* Sixth session, April 21-23, ^^ Martin Dreisbach's. 
George Miller, president; J. Dreisbach, secretary. George 
Miller and J. Erb located. Henry Niebel and M. Betz were 
ordained elders and D. Yerlitz and L. Zimmerman deacons. 
Received on trial, Abraham Buchman, John Kleinfelter, Jacob 
Kleinfelter, John Walter, Jr., John Stambach and Adam 
Kendig. 

Appointments : Schuylkilll Circuit, J. Walter, Jacob Klein- 
felter and John Walter, Jr.; Northumberland, M. Betz, Robert 
McCray, A. Buchman and John Stambach; Franklin, H. Niebel 
and M. Diebler; York, L. Zimmerman and Fred. Shower. To 
seek new territory, J. Dreisbach and A. Hennig, D. Yerlitz and 
John Kleinfelter. 

The work greatly advanced. Yerlit.z and Kleinfelter 
found open doors in Bedford and Huntingdon counties, while 
Dreisbach and Hennig met with equal success in Somerset and 
adjoining counties, and organized a number of classes. M. Betz 
died and John Walter, Albright's first assistant, broke down 
completely. 

1814* Seventh session, April 13-15, atMARTiN Dreisbach's. 
John Dreisbach, president; Henry Niebel, secretary. Thomas 
Bruer, Michael Walter and Henry Stauffer were newly 



222 BVANOBLIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

received. F. Shower, A. Hennig and Abraham Buchman were 
ordained deacons. J. Dreisbach was elected presiding elder 
(the first in this office) for four years. 

Appointments : J. Dreisbach, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, H. Niebel and John Kleinfelter; Bedford, D. Yerlitz and 
Michael Walter ; York, J. Stambach and T. Bruer ; Somerset, 
Abraham Buchman and Jacob Kleinfelter ; Lancaster, L. Zim- 
merman and H. Stauffer; Franklin, F. Shower; Schuylkill, Adam 
Hennig. 

This was a successful year. Four camp-meetings, fourteen 
general meetings, and eight watch-night meetings were held. 

1815* Eighth session, April 4-6, at Jacob Kleinfelter's,* 
near Shrewsbury. Henry Niebel, president; John Kleinfelter, 
secretary. D. Yerlitz located ; John and Jacob Kleinfelter 
and Thomas Bruer were ordained deacons; David Thomas, 
John Dehoff and James Bruer were newly received ; Henry 
Niebel was elected the second presiding elder. Highest salary 
received, ^^89. 67. The time of holding the conference session 
was changed from April to June. 

Appointments: I. CanaanDistrict, John Dreisbach, presid- 
ing elder. Franklin Circuit, Thomas Bruer and J. Dehoff ; York, 
Abraham Buchman and David Thomas; Lancaster, John Klein- 
felter and James Bruer ; Schuylkill, L. Zimmerman. 

II. Salem District, Henry Niebel, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, John Stambach and Jacob Kleinfelter ; Centre, Fred. 
Shower and Henry Stauffer; Somerset, Adam Hennig and Michael 
Walter. 

This was a year of general success. Six camp-meetings were 
held. John Dreisbach visited Philadelphia, and preached. May 
7, in Masonic Hall, near Poplar and N. Second Streets, and in 
the house of George Fisher. On a second visit he preached in 
Commissioners' Hall. During this visit he purchased a printing 
press and outfit at his own expense, for the use of the society at 
New Berlin. 

1816. Ninth session, June 11-13, at Abraham Eyer's,*!- in 
Dry Valley. John Dreisbach, president; Henry Niebel, sec- 
retary. The newly received into the ministry were John Frueh, 
Philip Smith, Moses Dehoff, Adam and Benjamin Ettinger, 

* Father of Revs. John and Jacob Kleinfelter. 

f Note. — This important session was held in Eyer's barn, which is still 
standing (1896). 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 223 

John Shilling, John Rickel, Fred. Kaltreiter and Andrew 
Wolf. D. Thomas, M. Walter, John DEHOFFand S. Miller 
were ordained deacons, and Fred. Shower and L. Zimmerman 
elders. Abraham Buchman, Thomas Bruer and H. Stauffer 
located. This was the most important session yet held, as the 
following transactions will show: Two mission fields were estab- 
lished in Ohio. Local preachers shall hereafter be entitled to 
deacon's orders, after trial of six years, and recommendation of 
twelve itinerants. J. Dreisbach and H. Niebel shall have 
preachers licenses printed, and shall make a proper collection of 
hymns, and also improve the Discipline. A General Conference 
shall be held. A committee of seven was elected to superintend 
the new printing office established by J. Dreisbach, as follows: 
J. Dreisbach, H. Niebel, S. Miller, A. Ettinger, D. Bertolet, 
J. Breitenstein and Christian Spangler. Twelve delegates 
were elected for the coming General Conference. Ministers shall 
hereafter receive I5 6 salary and expenses, if the state of the treas- 
ury will allow it. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Dreisbach, presiding 
elder. Franklin Circuit, J. Bruer and F. Kaltreiter ; York, L. 
Zimmerman and A. Ettinger ; Lancaster, David Thomas; Schuyl- 
kill, J. Frueh and B. Ettinger ; Lake Mission (Seneca county, 
N. Y.), Jacob Kleinfelter. 

II. Salem District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, John Kleinfelter and M. Dehoff; Bedford, John Dehoff and 
J. Shilling ; Somerset, M. Walter and J. Rickel ; Columbia, P. 
Schmidt; Centre, J. Stambach; Canton Mission (O.), Adam 
Hennig; Scioto Mission (O.), Fred Shower. 

April 5 Rev. George Miller, co-laborer with Albright, died 
at New Berlin, Union county. April 27 Conrad Philips and 
John Walter, trustees, purchased a lot at New Berlin, fo»* the 
use of the society as a burial place. 



CHAPTER II 



First General Conference, Held at the House of Mar- 
tin Dreisbach, in Buffalo Valley, Union County, Pa., 
Oct. 14-17, 1816. 

1816. The first General Conference of the society was held 
at the house of Martin Dreisbach, in Buffalo Valley, Union 
county, Pa., Oct. 14-17. J. Dreisbach, president; H. Niebel, 
secretary. The following important business was transacted : 
Solomon Miller was elected general book agent and publisher 
for the newly-established printing office at New Berlin, and H. 
Niebel assistant. The propriety of effecting an organic union 
with the United Brethren in Christ was discussed. Bishop Chris- 
tian Newcomer and several others of the latter denomination 
being present and joining in the discussion. A committee was 
appointed to meet a similar committee of the United Brethren 
to consummate the union if practicable. The new hymn book. 
Das Geistliche Saitenspiel, prepared by J. Dreisbach and Henry 
Niebel, was approved, and the publication of 1,500 copies was 
ordered. This was the first hymn book of the society. The 
same brethren also submitted the Articles of Faith and Discipline, 
also approved, and ordered 1,500 copies to be printed. The 
publication of these books, however, was deferred, pending the 
action of the Joint Committee on Church union. The yearly 
salary of an itinerant was raised from $56, as fixed by the last 
annual conference, to $60. The name of the society was changed 
from *' The So-called Albrights" to ''The Evangelical Asso- 
ciation." 

Delegates : J. Dreisbach, H. Niebel, John Walter, L. 
Zimmerman, J. Erb, J. Stambach, J. Kleinfelter, S. Miller, 
J. Dehoff, D. Thomas, A. Ettinger and J. Frueh. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 225 

The Social Coufereiice. The Joint Committee to effect 
the proposed union of the Evangelical Association and the United 
Brethren in Christ met at the house of Henry Kummler, in 
Antrim township, Franklin county, Pa., Feb. 14, 181 7. The 
committees representing the Association consisted of J. Dries- 
bach, H. Niebel, S. Miller, J. Kleinfelter, D. Thomas and 
A. Ettinger. On behalf of the United Brethren there were 
present : Bishop Christian Newcomer, Joseph Hoffman, J. 
Paulus, a Meyer, C. Berger and C. Roth. 

The difficulties in the way of consummating this union were 
greater than had been anticipated. Some of these difficulties, as 
gathered from the histories of both denominations, were : A suit- 
able name for the proposed new organization ; the rights of local 
preachers; the itinerancy ; Discipline and Church government. 
The chief difficulty seems to have been the following, as given 
by Rev. J. Dreisbach:* **It was then understood and agreed 
upon that there should be six delegates of each of the two denom- 
inations, and that these delegates should be authorized by both 
sides to negotiate a union, as we had postponed the new edition 
of our Discipline till after our conference. But when we met at 
Bro. H. Kummler's it was soon announced by the Brethren that 
they had no such authority to make a final decision on the subject 
of the contemplated union. This was to us very repulsive, indeed, 
and the result of this conference has been stated." The result 
of the conference was the abandonment of the project. 

Chttrch and Printing Establishment. The first church 
edifice of the Association was erected at New Berlin this year, 
and dedicated March 2, 181 7, by Rev. J. Dreisbach. Text, 
Psalm xxvii. 4. The printing house was erected by the side of 
the church (18 16) and taken charge of by Rev. Solomon Mil- 
ler, the agent. This establishment never flourished, and in 1828 
the conference directed John Dreisbach to sell at his own 
discretion. The printing for the society thereafter was done by 
George Miller (**the printer"), who had been connected with 
the establishment from the beginning. 

1817* The tenth conference was held in the new church at 
New Berlin June 2-7. H. Niebel, president; J. Kleinfelter, 
secretary. The following members located: D. Thomas, A. 
Hennig and P. Smith. James Barber, Adam Kleinfelter, 

♦Correction of Rev. H. G. Spavth, historian of the United Brethren Church, 
m Evangelical Messenger, i^^^^ ^gt 6Si 



226 EyANGBLICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Samuel Muck, Henry Weiand, and B. Boeshore were newly 
received. James Bruer and Adam Ettinger were ordained 
deacons, and John and Jacob Kleinfelteh and J. Stambach, 
elders. One itinerant and one local preacher were expelled from 
the Church for misconduct, and three were deposed from the 
ministry for neglect of duty. In addition to the Book Commis- 
sion previously elected, the following were elected as agents of 
the commission, to whom books were sent to be disposed of : 
York Circuit, Joseph Kleinfelter ; Franklin, J. Erb ; Berkley 
(Va.), Jacob Kerber; Columbia, Peter Reidy; Lake (N.Y.), 
Christian Wolf; Somerset, N. Neith; Canton (O.), A. Hennig. 

Appointments : I, Canaan District, J. Driesbach, presiding 
elder. York Circuit, John Kleinfelter and B. Boeshore ; Lancas- 
ter, A. Ettinger and J. Barber; Schuylkill, J. FruehandS. Muck; 
Franklin, M. Walter; Berkley (Va.), J. Bruer ; Lake (N. Y.), 
J. Schilling. 

II. Salem District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, B. Ettinger and F. Kaltreiter; Somerset, J. Stambach and 
H. Weiand ; Columbia, L. Zimmerman ; Centre, M. Deholf ; 
Bedford, J. Rickle ; Lancaster, John and Adam Kleinfelter ; 
Canton, John Dehoff. 

1818. Eleventh conference at New Berlin, June 1-5. J. 
Dreisbach, president ; H. Niebel, secretary. J. Frueh, J. 
Bruer, A. Ettinger, and H. Weiand located. Samuel Witt, 
Henry Hassler, John Peters and John Breidenstein were 
newly received. Ordained Deacons — J. Rickel, J. Frueh, M. 
Dehoff, B. Ettinger, F. Kaltreiter, J. Schilling and James 
Barber. Dreisbach and Niebel were re-elected presiding elders. 
Columbia Circuit was consolidated with Union. The following 
rules were enacted: (i) That every preacher be forbidden to 
wear gloves during Summer, or to use any of the following articles 
at any time of the year, viz. : Silver-plated stirrups and bridle- 
bits, loaded whips and large watch keys. (2) That it shall be 
considered a transgression for any one of our minister to receive 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church into our connection 
without the consent of the preacher having charge over them, 
except in cases where they move from the bounds of their Church 
into those of the Association, or have been regularly dismissed 
by their Church. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, M. Dehoff and A. Kleinfelter ; Lan- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 227 

caster, J. Shilling and B. Boeshore ; York, John Kleinfelter and 
John Breidenstcin; Franklin, H. Hassler; Berkley (Va.)> Jacob 
Kleinfelter; Lake (N. Y.), F- Kaltreiter. 

II. Salem District, J. Dreisbach, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit. J. Stambach and John Dehoff ; Centre, L. Zimmerman 
and J. Peters ; Somerset, J. Barber and S. Witt ; Bedford, S. 
Rickel; Canton (O.), M. Walter; Lancaster, B. Ettinger and 
S. Muck. 

John Walter, Albright^s first assistant, died Dec. 3, aged 
thirty-seven years. John Dreisbach, presiding elder, visited 
the work in Ohio this year. 

1819. The twelfth conference was heldiin New Berlin, June 
7-1 1. J. Dreisbach, president; H. Neibel, secretary. Jacob 
Peters, David Wolf and Jacob Baumgardner were newly re- 
ceived. Adam Kleinfelter, Samuel Muck and Jacob Frey 
were ordained deacons. Henry Niebel and J. Rickel located. 
Dreisbach was presiding elder of both districts. 

The following statistics of the various fields of labor are here 
subjoined, that the reader may judge for himself as to the con- 
dition and strength of the various charges : Pennsylvania — Union 
Circuit, 239 ; Centre, 304; Lancaster, 277 ; York, 194 ; Somer- 
set, 204; Bedford, 43; Franklin (partly in Maryland), 93; Schuyl- 
kill, 93. Virginia — Canton Circuit, 160. New York — Lake 
Circuit, 59. Ohio — Canton Circuit, 139 ; Lancaster, 90. Total 
membership, 1,895. 

Appointments : John Dreisbach, presiding elder. Schuylkill 
Circuit, J. Schilling and J. Baumgardner ; Lancaster, L. Zim- 
merman and S. Mack ; York, M. Walter and M. Dehoff ; Frank- 
lin, J. Frueh ; Berkley (Va.), B. Ettinger ; Lake (N. Y.), John 
Kleinfelter ; Union, H. Hassler and J. Breitenstein j Centre, J. 
Stambach and J. Peters ; Bedford, S. Witt ; Somerset, A. Klein- 
felter and John Peters; Canton (O.), Jacob Kleintclter and 
Jacob Frey; Lancaster (0.)> !• Barber and D. Wolf. 



CHAPTER III. 



Second General Conference, in Connection with the Thir- 
teenth Annual Conference, at New Berlin, Pa., June 
5-9, 1820. 

1820. Thirteenth annual and second General Conference 
convened in New Berlin, June 5-9. John Dreisbach, president; 
Henry Niebel, secretary. Located— J. Stambach, J. Peters, 
S. Witt and Jacob Frey. Newly received— tDaniel Middle- 
KAUFF and George Lantz. Became effective— J. Erb, J. Rickel 
and J. Dehoff. Ordained deacons — H. Hassler, D. Wolf, 
John Breitenstein and George Lantz. Elders — M. Walter, 
J. Barber, M. Dehoff, J. Frueh, B. Ettinger and J. Schil- 
ling. J. Erb was elected presiding elder. Rev. S. Miller, the 
general book agent, having died during the preceding year, J. 
Dreisbach was elected in his stead. J. Dreisbach H. Niebel 
and J. Stambach were constituted a standing book committee. 
J. Dreisbach and Daniel Bertolet having written and trans- 
lated a collection of hymns, they were ordered to be published, 
besides such other works as were of a profitable character. 

* 'As this was the fourth year since the session of the first 
General Conference, therefore the annual and General Confer- 
ences were held simultaneously, although but few items of a 
General Conference nature were transacted, and these had ref- 
erence chiefly to the book and printing affairs of the society. 
Hence no delegates had been chosen, as was the case at the first 
General Conference ; But all members of the annual conference, 
who had a right, to vote, had a voice in the proceedings. From 
this time henceforth, until the introduction of the regular dele- 
gate system at the General Conference of 1839, every minister 
in the office of elder had a right to attend General Conference, 
and was entitled to a vote." (Orwig, page 102.) 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 229 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Erb, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, B. Ettinger and Jacob Peters; Lancaster, John 
Kleinfelter and D. Wolf ; York, J. Barber and J. Dehoff ; Frank- 
lin, L. Zimmerman ; Berkley, J. Frueh ; Lake, S. Muck. 

II. Salem District, J. Dreisbach, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, A. Kleinfelter and G. Lantz ; Centre, J. Schilling and 
J. Baumgardner ; Bedford, J. Rickel ; Somerset, M. Walter and 
M. Dehoff; Canton (O.), Henry Hassler and D. Middlekauff ; 
Lancaster (O.), Jacob Kleinfelter, J. Breidenstein. 

1821* Fourteenth conference. New Berlin, June 4-9. John 
Erb, president ; Jacob Kleinfelter, secretary. The following 
located — J. Dreisbach, J. Rickel, J. Frueh, S. Muck, G. Lantz, 
J. Schilling and L. Zimmerman. Newly received — John Sey- 
BERT, John Vandersal, Fred. Glasser, John Stoll, Jacob 
BiXLER and John Eisenberger. Ordained deacons — J. Baum- 
gardner, Christian Wolf and J. Vandersal. Elders — A. 
Kleinfelter and J. Dehoff. Membership, 1,974; decrease of 
eighteen. Salary of each itinerant, $26.66, besides a small 
amount for traveling expenses. This was a period of sore trial 
for the society. Besides the meager support of the ministers, 
they were shamefully persecuted. John Dreisbach was allowed 
the sum ot $2^ for his services as book agent. The book estab- 
lishment being in a very unsatisfactory condition, the standing 
Book Committee was authorized to lease it for three ears, which 
was done. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Erb, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, Jacob Kleinfelter and Jacob Bixler : Lancas- 
ter, J. Breidenstein and J. Eisenberger ; York, B. Ettinger and 
J. Vandersal ; Franklin, J. Baumgardner ; Berkley, J. Dehoff ; 
Lake, M. Walter. 

II. Salem District, John Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, John Seybert and F. Glasser ; Centre, D. Wolf and M. 
Dehoff; Somerset and Bedford, J. Barber and D. Middlekauff; 
Canton (O.), H. Hassler and J. Peters; Lancaster (O.), A. 
Kleinfelter and J. Stoll. 

1822* Fifteenth conference. New Berlin, June 3-6. John 
Kleinfelter, president ; John Erb, secretary. The following 
located — B. Ettinger, M. Walter, and M. Dehoff. Ordained 
elders — D. Wolf, H. Hassler and J. Breidenstein. Deacons — 
J. Seybert and D. Middlekauff. Newly received — William 



230 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

Sholty, John W. Miller, Joseph Long, Abraham Becker, 
Philip Wagoner and Fred. Borauf. 

As the lay members of the Book Commission seldom attended 
the meetings of the committee, which caused great inconvenience, 
it was deemed best to constitute the committee altogether of 
itinerants, whose attendance at annual conference made the meet- 
ings of the committee more convenient. The following were 
elected according to this new rule : J. Dreisbach, general agent j 
J. Erb, John Kleinfelter, Jacob Kleinfelter, J. Dehoff, D. 
Wolf and John Seybert. 

Although this was a year of great trial, there were signs of 
better days to come. A camp-meeting was held on Canton Cir- 
cuit (O.), on the land of Mrs. Jolly, and another on Lancaster 
Circuit (O.), on the land of Daniel Hoy, in Fairfield county. 
John Breidenstein gained entrance into Orwigsburg. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Erb, presiding elder. 
Union Circuit, James Barber and J. Eisenberger; Centre, D. 
Middlekauff and J. Stoll; York, A. Kleinfelter and W. Sholty; 
Lancaster, J. Vandersal and J. W. Miller; Schuylkill, J. Breid- 
enstein and F. Borauf; Lake (N. Y.), J. Dehoff. 

II. SalemDistrict, John Klinefelter, presiding elder. Franklin 
Circuit, Jacob Kleinfelter and A. Becker; Berkley ( Va. ), F. Glasser; 
Somerst, J. Baumgardner and J. Long; Canton (O.), John Sey- 
bert and P. Wagoner; Lancaster (O.), D. Wolf and J. Peters; 
H. Hassler to seek and organize a new circuit. 

1823* Sixteenth conference, in the Union Evangelical 
Church at Shrewsbury, Pa., June 2-4. John Erb, president; 
John Kleinfelter, secretary. The following located — John 
Erb, John Vandersal, D.Wolf, J.W. Miller^ J. Eisenberger, 
H. Hassler and W. Sholty. Newly received — J. Conrad 
Reisner, Conrad Kring, Jacob Foy, Thomas Buck and Ben- 
jamin Bixler. Elders — James Barber and Adam Kleinfelter. 
Ordained deacons — J. Stoll, F. Glasser and W. Sholty. 

Membership, 1,854, a decrease of eighty-two. Average sal- 
ary, $2>^.66. Notwithstanding the serious decrease in member- 
ship for several years, this year marked the turning tide in the 
history of the Church. A great revival at Orwigsburgh began 
this year and continued several years, spreading in all directions, 
and affecting the whole Church. 

Appointments: I. Salem District, James Barber, presiding 
elder. Union and Centre Circuit, J. Breidenstein, A. Becker 



CONFERENCE BECOBDS. 231 

and J. Foy; Somerset, J. Dehoff and T. Buck; Lake (N. Y.), 
Fred. Glasser. 

II. Canaan District, John Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, Jacob Kleinfelter; York, Benjamin Bixler and 
Conrad Kring; Schuylkill, John Seybert ; Franklin, Joseph Long 
and J. C. Reisner. 

III. Ohio District, Adam Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, J. Stoll and Phillip Wagoner ; Canton, J. Baum- 
gardner; J. Frey to seek a new circuit. 

1824. Seventh conference, Shrewsbury, Pa., June 7-10. 
John Kleinfelter, president; Jacob Kleinfelter, secretary. 
Located — Jacob Frey, John Breidenstein and J. Baumgard- 
NER. Newly received — Henry Wissler and Daniel Man- 
weiler. J. Bixler and Fred. Borauf were received a second 
time. Ordained deacons — Joseph Long, A. Becker, P. Wag- 
oner and J. C. Reisner. Elder — John Seybert. Jacob Peters 
died during the year. Average salary, besides traveling expenses, 
$35.88. 

Appointments : I. Salem District, James Barber, presiding 
elder. Union and Centre Circuit, P. Wagoner, C. Kring and T. 
Buck; Somerset, J. Stoll and F. Borauf; Lake (N. Y.), F. 
Glasser. 

II. Canaan District, John Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, W. Scholty and A. Becker; Schuylkill, J. C. 
Reisner and J. W. Miller. Without a presiding elder: York 
Circuit, J. Seybert and J. Bixler;* Franklin, J. Kleinfelter, B. 
Bixler and Henry Wissler. 

III. Ohio District, Adam Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Can- 
ton Circuit, J. Foy; Mansfield, J. Dehoff; Lancaster, Joseph 
Long and D. Manweiler. 

1825. Eighteenth conference. New Berlin, June 5. Adam 
Kleinfelter, president; John Seybert, secretary. The fol- 
lowing located — J. Stoll, J. Bixler, John Kleinfelter, Jacob 
Kleinfelter, Benjamin Bixler and F. Glasser. Ordained 
elder — J. Stoll. Ordained deacons — C. Kring, J. Foy, J. W. 
Miller and Thomas Buck. Newly received — John Hamilton, 
Jacob Early, Joseph M. Saylor, George Reich, George 
Schneider and Benjamin Becker, M. D. John Seybert was 

'^ J. Bixler was disabled by sickness, and Joseph Saylor took his place in 
the Fall. 



233 EVANQELIGAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

elected presiding elder. An edition of i,ooo copies of the Geisi- 
liche Viole was ordered to be published this year. Conference 
leased the printing house to George Miller, at a rental of $60 
per annum. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, John Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, Conrad Kring and J. Early ; * Lan- 
caster, Thomas Buck and B. Becker ;f York, J. C. Reisner and 
J. M. Saylor ; Franklin and Berkley, P. Wagoner and F. Borauf. 

II. Salem District, James Barber, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. W. Miller and George Reich ; Centre, J. Foy and D. 
Manweiler; Somerset, A. Becker and J. Hamilton; Lake (N. 
Y.), Christian Wolf and F. Glasser. 

III. Ohio District, Adam Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, J. Long and George Schneider; Mansfield, J. 
Deholf ; Canton, Henry Wissler. 

* Early became sick in Autumn and Francis Hoffman took his place, 
f Becker left the charge during the year and J. M. Saylor took his place. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Third General Conference, in Connection with the Nine- 
teenth Annual Conference, at New Berlin, June 5, 
1826. 

1826. Nineteenth annual and third General Conference, 
New Berlin, June 5. John Seybert, president; J. C. Reisner, 
secretary. J. Foy, B. Becker, F. Borauf and J. Dehoff located. 
Francis Hoffman and Samuel Tobias newly received. P.Wag- 
oner, J. C. Reisner, J. Long and A. Becker ordained elders, 
and H.Wissler, D. MxNWEiLERand Michael HASSLER,deacons» 
Membership, 2,207; average salary, ^38.46. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, John Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, T. Buck and George Schneider ; Lan- 
caster, J. W. Miller; York, A. Becker and J. Bruer; Franklin 
and Berkley, D. Manweiler and J. Hamilton. 

II, Salem District, James Barber, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. C. Reisner; Centre, P. Wagoner and S. Tobias; Som- 
erset, H. Wissler, G. Reich and J. Frey ; Lake (N. Y.), J. Early. 

III. Ohio District, Adam Kleinfelter, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, Conrad Kring and J. M. Saylor ; Mansfield and 
Canton, Joseph Long and F. Hoffman. 

A resolution of 1824, instituting local preachers' conferences 
prior to each annual conference, was reenacted, but was never 
carried into effect. 

A resolution that on every circuit, wherever practical, a par- 
sonage be built, was reenacted. 

The general book agent's accounts were audited by the Book 
Committee, and record made of the same. Prices of books were 
fixed as follows : Saiienspiel, the large hymn book, at one dollar; 
Viole, the small hymn book, fifty cents ; New Testament, one 



234 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

dollar j Church Discipline, forty cents ; Menschen Furcht, thirty- 
seven and one-half cents; Thaetiges Christenthum, fifty cents. 
The preachers were allowed an average discount of ten per cent. 

The following Book Committee was appointed : J. Dreisbach, 
general agent; J. Seybert, J. C. Reisner, J. Miller, Thomas 
Buck, J. Hamilton and J. M. Saylor. 

'*The Western Conference of the Evangelical Association" 
was formed, agreeably to a petition from the Ohio brethren, said 
conference to hold its session prior to the Eastern, to which it 
shall send its records for inspection and approval. All moneys 
received for support of the ministry in both conferences to be 
added, and each itinerant receive an equal share. 

1827. Eastern Conference,* Orwigsburg, Pa.,t June 4. 
James Barber, president ; J. C. Reisner, secretary. A. Becker 
located. George Mattinger, George Enders and William 
Stoll were newly received. T. Buck and J. W. Miller were 
ordained elders, and G. Reich, J. Hamilton and D. Focht, 
deacons. John Schneider and John Vandersal died during 
the year. Philip Wagoner was elected presiding elder. 

The total amount of money for preachers' support was $922.55, 
of which the Eastern Conference contributed $809.99. The 
money was divided among twenty preachers of both conferences. 
The preachers of the Eastern Conference (not including locals) 
were the following : Elders — J. Seybert, P.Wagoner, J. Barber, 
J. C. Reisner, B. Ettinger, J. Dreisbach, A. Becker, J. 
Breidenstein, John Kleinfelter, H. Niebel, L. Zimmerman, 
J. Stambach, M. Walter, J. Stoll, J. Frueh, T. Buck, John 
Miller. Deacons — D. Thomas, A. Buchman, A. Ettinger, 
J. Rickel, C. Wolf, G. Lantz, J. Baumgardner, F. Glasser, 
Jacob Frey, D. Middlekauff, H. Wissler, D. Manweiler, 
G. Reich, D. Focht, J. Hamilton. On trial — G. Schneider, 
S. Tobias, George Mattinger, G. Enders, William Stoll. 

* ' The quarterly conferences were instructed to co-operate with 
the presiding elders in the appointment of proper persons, whose 
duty it shall be to collect funds throughout the entire Association 
for the support of the worn-out preachers and their families; 
with this understanding, however, that the Eastern and Western 
Conferences shall each support the said families within their 

* The records state that this was a Joint annual and General Conference, but 
for the sake of uniformity we will follow the numbering of previous authors. 
f In church erected the year previous, the third one of the Association. 



CONFERENCE BEC0BD8. 235 

respective bounds, in accordance with the provisions of our 
Church Discipline. (Landmarks, page 53.) 

Conference appointed J. Dreisbach, J. Barber and Benja- 
min Ettinger a committee to dispose of the personal property 
of the book establishment, and apply the proceeds to the man- 
agement of the book trade as the conferences may direct. 

•Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, J. C. Reisner and H. Wissler ; Lancaster, J. 
M. Saylor and W. Stoll ; York, T. Buck and James Bruer; 
Franklin, J. Hamilton and F. Holfman. 

II. Salem District, Philip Wagoner, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, B. Ettinger and George Mattinger; Centre, J. Barber 
and George Schneider ; Somerset, D. Manweiler, S. Tobias and 
J. Allen; Lake (N. Y.), George Reich. 

1827, Western Conference, first annual session, at the house 
of Henry Rauch, near Wooster, O., May 7. Adam Kleinfel- 
TER, president ; Joseph Long, secretary. Conrad Kring was 
ordained elder, and J. M. Saylor deacon. Conference decided 
to have no presiding elder this year, but Adam Kleinfelter was 
directed to attend the general meetings in the Spring and Joseph 
Long in the Fall. 

Wooster Circuit, members, 176; Canton, 158; Lancaster, 160; 
Sandusky,* 29; total, 523. The following is a list of all the 
preachers in the Western Conference, who, with few exceptions, 
vv'ere from Pennsylvania, and nearly all had been in the itinerancy: 
Elders — Adam Kleinfelter, John Shilling, John Erb, Jacob 
Kleinfelter, David Wolf, Joseph Long, Conrad Kring, John 
Dehoff, Henry Hassler and Moses Dehoff. Deacons — John 
Rickel, Joseph M. Saylor, Adam Hennig and Jacob Frey. 
On trial — Francis Hoffman, John Peters, Matthew Wonder, 
John Miller, Henry Downy, Fred. Borauf, John Thomas, 
Jacob Dissler, Peter Miller, Henry Stauffer and Samuel 
Sager. 

Appointments: Canton Circuit, Joseph Long; Wooster, C. 
Kring; Sandusky, Adam Kleinfelter; Lancaster, J. Miller and 
George Enders. The two latter were sent by the Eastern Con- 
ference. 

* Late in the season of 1826 J. M. Saylor, by direction of Adam Klein- 
felter, visited the Sandusky region and established appointments, after which 
Jacob Frey served them until Conference. 



236 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS, 

Immediately after adjournment of conference J. M. Saylor 
and Francis Hoffman, who had traveled in Ohio in 1826, started 
for Pennsylvania, carrying with them the proceedings of the 
Western Conference to the Eastern or Parent Conference, as 
directed by General Conference. They both remained in the East. 

1828. Eastern Conference, New Berlin, June 2. John 
Seybert, president; J. C. Reisner, secretary. The following 
located : J. C. Reisner, J. M. Saylor and B. Ettinger. James 
Bruer and D. Manweiler were ordained elders, and F. Hoff- 
man and J. G. Conser, deacons. The newly received were W. 
W. Orwig, Jacob Hoock, John H. Yambert and E. Stoever. 
Thomas Buck was elected presiding elder. J. Dreisbach was 
authorized to sell the book establishment, according to his best 
judgment. George Miller (''the printer'') was appointed by 
the conference to attend to the book trade. 

It was resolved ''that hereafter married preachers, having 
traveled five years or longer, shall draw as much salary for their 
families as for themselves, or, in other words, as much again as 
a single itinerant, and they were admonished to exert themselves 
to have the contributions toward the support of the ministers 
increased.'' (Orwig, page 138.) 

Appointments: I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding, 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, Adam Kleinfelter and J. W. Miller ; 
Lancaster, Conrad Kring; York, J. Hamilton and J. H. Yam- 
bert ; Franklin and Berkley, G. Reich and J. Hoock. 

11. Salem District, Thomas Buck, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, F. Hoffman and George Enders ; Centre, J. Barber and 
W. W. Orwig ; Somerset, James Bruer and G. Mattinger ; Lake 
(N. Y.), Philip Wagoner. 

1828* Western Conference, Uniontown, O. , May 5 . Joseph 
Long, president ; J. W. Miller, secretary. Fred. Shower w^as 
again received, and ordained deacon. J. W. Miller was ap- 
pointed to convey the contributions, etc., to the Eastern Con- 
ference, so as to include them in the general account. The 
stationing of the preachers was left to the Eastern Conference, 
with the proviso that at least three shall be ordained men, and 
that Adam Kleinfelter represent the conference in the Station- 
ing Committee. 

Appointments : Joseph Long, presiding elder. Canton Cir- 
cuit, D. Manweiler and S. Tobias; Lancaster, Henry Wlssler 
and E. Stoever; Sandusky, George Schneider. 



CONFEBENGE MEG0RD3. 237 

1829* Easte-m Conference, New Berlin, June i. Thomas 
Buck, president; J. Seybert, secretary. Located — J. W. Mil- 
ler. Died — John Stambach. Newly received — George Brick- 
ley, Joseph Ebbert, Solomon G. Miller, Jacob Schnerr and 
William Ray. Henry Niebel became effective. J. Seybert 
was re-elected presiding elder. Martin Dreisbach, because of 
the infirmities of age, resigned as trustee of the subsidiary fund 
bequests, and John Seybert was elected to take charge of all 
moneys, such as legacies, etc., for worn-out preachers, a number 
of such having already been made, Thomas Buck was elected 
treasurer of funds from book sales, and to appropriate according 
to the directions of conference. 

Appointments ; I. Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, Conrad Kring and J. Ebbert ; Lebanon, H. 
Niebel and W. W. Orwig; Lancaster, J. M. Saylor and G. 
Enders ; York, D. Manweiler and S. Tobias ; Franklin and Berk- 
ley, J. Hamilton, J. Bruer and W. Ray. 

II. Salem District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, J. Barber and J. G. Zinzer ; Centre, F. Hoffman and Sol- 
omon G. Miller; Somerset, H. Wissler and G. Brickley ; Lake 
(N. Y.), George Reich. 

1829. Western Conference, Tuscarawas township. Stark 
county, O., May 4. Joseph Long, president; Henry Wissler, 
secretary. John George Zinzer was newly received. George 
Schneider, S. Tobias and E. Stoever were ordained deacons. 
Jacob Klinefelter (the second) died during the year. 

Appointments : Conference District, Joseph Long, presiding 
elder. Canton Circuit, Adam Kleinfelter and E. Stoever ; New 
Lancaster, J. H. Yambert and George Schneider; Sandusky, 
George Mattinger. 

<* During this year the preacher in charge of Lancaster Cir- 
cuit made the first visit to the southwestern part of Ohio, whither 
several old members of our Church had emigrated, and they ex- 
pressed a strong desire to be regularly visited by our preachers. 
Although the prospects were then not as promising with regard 
to the extension of the work in that section, as in many other 
places, yet it spread gradually, and extended over the counties 
of Montgomery, Warren, Butler, Preble, and at last over Miami 
and Dark, as far as Wayne county, in Indiana, till finally a cir- 
cuit was formed there." (Orwig.) 

This year the married preachers, for the first time, drew 



238 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

salaries for their families, /. e. , those of them who had traveled five 
years, besides their traveling expenses ; but among the twenty- 
two itinerants of the last year, there were but four who were 
entitled to draw for their families, nearly all the rest being single. " 
(Orwig, page 143.) 

In the Western Conference one of the preachers having bap- 
tized a person who had been baptized in infancy, charges were 
brought against him, and the conference took action, which was 
also approved by the Eastern Conference, unanimously forbid- 
ding re-baptism by our preachers under any circumstances, for 
the following reasons: **(i) Our Church Discipline gives no 
such directions; (2) We can find no authority in the sacred 
Scriptures for re-baptism ; (3) It is our belief that its introduc- 
tion would be followed by evil consequences. " 

1830* Eastern Conference, Orwigsburgh, Pa., June i. 
Thomas Buck, president ; John Seybert, secretary. Died — H. 
Meyer, local, of Somerset county. Newly received — Charles 
Hammer, Daniel Kehr, John S. Himmelreich and Robert G. 
Hunter. Located — J. Hamilton, H. Wissler, J. M. Saylor, 
F. Hoffman and J. Ebbert. 

The Eastern, as the oldest conference, decided that a session 
of the General Conference should be held in Haines township, 
Centre county. Pa., to commence on the first Monday in Novem- 
ber. George Miller was directed to print 2,000 copies of the 
Vw/e, at $20 per hundred. The price of the Discipline was re- 
duced to thirty-one and one-fourth cents per copy. 

It was resolved that such preachers in either conference, who 
do not exert themselves properly to secure money for the general 
salary and subsidiary fund, shall have their salaries lessened as 
the conference may deem proper. 

The married preachers of the Western Conference shall re- 
ceive double salary, the same as in the Eastern, on condition 
that they make proper efforts to secure funds. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, E. Stoever and J. G. Zinzer; Lebanon, W. 
W. Orwig and C. Hammer; Lancaster, H. Niebel and J. Schnerr: 
York, G. Brickley and J. Bruer ; Franklin, C. Kring and R. G. 
Hunter; Berkley (Va,), W. Ray. 

II. Salem District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit G. Schneider and S. Tobias; Somerset, S. G. Miller and 
W. Roehrig; Centre, J. Barber; Lake (N. Y.), F. Glasser. 



CCNFEBENCE RECORDS. 239 

1830* Western Conference, Plain township, Stark county, 
O., beginning May 3. Joseph Long, president; Adam Klein- 
FELTER, secretary. Absalom B. Schaefer, Christian Aubel 
and W. Roerig were granted license to preach. Lewis Henkey 
and M. Kibler were ordained deacons. Adam Kleinfelter 
located. The conference stationed but one preacher, George 
Mattinger. The remainder of the stationing was left for the 
Eastern Conference to do. 

Appointments : Conference District, Joseph Long, presiding 
elder. Canton Circuit, J. H. Yambert and Daniel Kehr; Lan- 
caster, George Mattinger and J. S. Himmelreich; Sandusky, 
George Enders. j^ 



CHAPTER V 



Fourth General Conference, Held at the House of John 
Adam Hennig, in Penn*s Valley, Centre County, Pa., 
Beginning Nov. i, 1830. 

1830. In accordance with the resolution of the Eastern 
Conference, the General Conference convened in the house of 
John Adam Hennig, in Penn*s Valley, Centre county, Pa., begin- 
ning Nov. I, 1830. Joseph Long, president; John Seybert, 
secretary. The voting members present were : T. Buck, John 
Seybert, Joseph Long, H. Niebel, J. Barber, Conrad Kring, 
John Dreisbach and H. Hassler. John Dreisbach was elected 
general book agent, George Miller («'the printer"), assistant, 
and Thomas Buck treasurer of the book funds. 

It was resolved that the new edition of the Discipline shall 
be translated into English. 

The business of this conference related mostly to the polity 
of the Church, and very important amendments were made in the 
Discipline, as follows : 

1. The Articles of Faith. — The first article had already been 
changed in 1816, and the expression, *' three persons," changed 
into *'a trinity." In the second article for <*In order thus to 
reconcile the Father to us,' the words were changed to, **In order 
to reconcile the justice of the eternal Father to us.' In Articles 
XII. to XV. the words, ** sacrament" and ''sacraments" were 
substituted by ** baptism," ** Lord's Supper," ''means of grace," 
"representation," etc. In the fourteenth article the sentence, 
' That only two sacraments have been iustituted by Christ, ' was 
omitted. 

2. The General Rules and Instructions in the duties of the 
members of the Association were changed and considerablv 
abbreviated. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 241 

3. The power of the bishops was so restricted that they were 
eligible only for two terms of four years each in succession. 
Formerly they had always been eligible, and this was afterwards 
again made the rule. The formula for the ordination of bishops 
was dropped. 

4. Hereafter only itinerants shall be members of the annual 
conferences. Before this, local preachers also had been members. 

5. The power of the bishop to station the preachers was an- 
nulled. He shall do this in connection with two elders elected 
by the conference for this purpose. 

6. The responses in the formula for ordaining elders was 
abbreviated, and the word ** sacrament '' omitted. The baptismal 
and marriage formulas were also changed. 

7. The word ''deacon" was changed into *« minister," and the 
articles against antinomianism and the final perseverance of the 
saints were omitted. 

A committee composed of John Seybert and Thomas Buck 
was appointed to revise the Discipline in accordance with the 
changes made, and J. Dreisbach and H. Niebel were appointed 
an additional committee to examine the work before its publica- 
tion. Adam Ettinger and J. Dreisbach were appointed to 
examine the English translation. 

The presiding elders were constituted the book agents for 
their respective districts, instead of the local agents, as formerly. 

''This conference ordained that the itinerant ministry in 
general confine their labors to the German portion of the popu- 
lation, and that no more preachers be received into that body 
who had not at least some knowledge of the German language. 
This resolution vexed and discouraged the English brethren a 
great deal, and its consequence was that the English work suffered 
and languished, till finally it died out almost entirely. Thus 
many parts of the country were and remained closed against the 
Association. * * * Herein the Evangelical Association fared like 
most of the German churches of the country, /. e., it learned a 
lesson by sad experience. In many parts they lost a considerable 
number of useful members. Even many of their own sons and 
daughters joined other denominations. * * * These are facts 
which no one can truthfully deny, and which were afterwards 
deplored by many of the preachers and members." (Orwig.) 

The General Conference of 1843 rescinded this action and 
completely reversed the policy. 



243 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS, 

1831. Eastern Conference, Lebanon, Pa., June 6. T. Buck, 
president; J. Seybert, secretary. Newly received — Daniel 
Brickley, George Anstein, John P. Leib, William Wagoner, 
Charles Hesser, Jacob Borkert, John Campbell and Henry" 
Fisher. Located — S. Tobias. Died — D. Manweiler. Or- 
dained elder — E. Stoever; deacons — J. G. Zinzer, S. G. Mil- 
ler, J. Schnerr and W. Ray. Elected presiding elder — H. 
Niebel ; general book agent — John Rank, Esq. J. C. Reisner 
was appointed to write a biography of Rev. George Miller. 
A new district, called Zion, was formed. 

The Church in general prospered greatly this year. The re- 
vival in Upper Milford, Lehigh county, continued, and a begin- 
ning was made near Allentown, at David Mertz's. Revivals 
also took place at Prospect, and Seitz's, in York county, Penn's, 
Brush and Nittanny Valleys, in Centre county, and in Erie 
county, N. Y., in the vicinity of Buffalo. 

Considerable difficulty ensued this year, chiefly in Virginia, 
as a consequence of the exclusion of John Hamilton for heresy, 
the general result of which was disastrous to the English work of 
the Association. Serious schismatical difficulties also occurred 
at Orwigsburgh, Pa. , led by one George Kimmel. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, J. Schnerr and J. Young; Lebanon, 
J. G. Zinzer and J. P. Leib ; Lancaster, E. Stoever and H. Fisher. 

II. Zion District, T. Buck, presiding elder. York Circuit, 
W.W. Orwig, D. Brickley and J. Borkert; Berkley (Va.), George 
Enders;* Somerset, C. Kring, B. Bixler and G. Anstein. 

III. Salem District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, J. M. Saylor and W. Wagoner ; White Deer, J. Barber and 
C. Hammer; Centre, P. Wagoner and C. Hesser; Lake (N.Y.), 
George Schneider and J. Campbell. 

1831. Western Conference, Green township. Stark county, 
O., May 2. Joseph Long, president; J. H. Yambert, secre- 
tary. Newly received — Michael Miller, Christian Leitner 
and John Rossner. Ordained elders — George Mattinger and 
J. H. Yambert. There were in the conference nine itinerants, 
twenty-seven local preachers, and 963 members. Some of the 
itinerants took work in Eastern Conference. 

Appointments : Conference District, Joseph Long, presiding 
elder. Canton and Wooster Circuit, George Mattinger, J. S. 
* In the Fall Enders left the charge and F. Hoffman took his place. 



CONFEBENGE UEGORDS. 243 

Himmelreich and M. Miller; Sandusky, J. H. Yambert and C. 
Leitner; Lancaster, S. G. Miller and Daniel Kehr. 

1832. Eastern Conference, New Berlin, Pa. , June 4. Thomas 
Buck, president ; J. Seybert, secretary. Located — H. Fisher, 
George Enders, J. Bruer and B. Bixler. Newly received — 
Jacob Bell, Henry Bucks, Christian Thomas, Samuel Baum- 
gardner, Daniel Fichtner and Joseph Harlacher. Ordained 
elders — J. M. Saylor, W. W. Orwig, George Brickley and F. 
Hoffman. Thomas Buck was reelected presiding elder. Mem- 
bers of the Book Committee — T. Buck, H. Niebel, J. Barber,, 
J. G. Zinzer, J. M. Saylor, C. Hammer, and J. P. Leib. 

An article on the Evangelical Association was prepared for 
insertion in Buck's Theological Dictionary. 

The conference resolved to establish a fund for the benefit of 
worn-out preachers and the families of deceased ministers. This 
was the beginning of the Charitable or Sustenation Fund of the 
society. John Rank, Esq., of New Columbia, Pa., was elected 
treasurer of this fund. 

Adam Ettinger and Jacob Hammer were appointed a com- 
mittee to have the Evangelical Association incorporated, which, 
for some reason, was not done. The conference ordered the 
publication of 1,500 copies of Miller's Biography, and 1,000 
copies of the Discipline in the English language. 

This was another year of prosperity. Buffalo Circuit, in the 
northwestern part of New York, was formed and the work in that 
part of the State developed rapidly. A remarkably victorious 
camp-meeting was held near Orwigsburg, on the land of George 
Rickert, at which about one hundred souls were converted. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, W. W. Orwig and Daniel Brickley; 
Lebanon, J. Schnerr and J. P. Leib ; Lancaster, George Brick- 
ley and F. Hoffman. 

II. Zion District, T. Buck, presiding elder. York Circuit, 
J. G. Zinzer, J. Rossner and H. Bucks ; Franklin, J. M. Saylor 
and J. Borkert; Indiana, E. Stover and J. Frey; Shenandoah 
(Va.), G. Schneider and C. Thomas; Somerset, D. Kehr and 
Joseph Harlacher. 

III. Salem District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, S. G. Miller and Charles Hesser; Centre, P. Wagoner and 
S. Baumgardner; Lycoming, J. Barber and John Young; Lake 
(N. Y.), J. S. Himmelreich and J. Campbell; Buffalo (N. Y.), 



244 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

C. Kring and J. Bell. Transferred to Ohio, C. Hammer and 
G. Anstein. 

1832. Western Conference, Green township, Stark county, 
O., May 7. Joseph Long, president; J. H. Yambert, secretary. 
Newly received — John Lentz, Elias Sichly, John J. Kopp, 
David Poorman and Aaron Yambert. Ordained deacons — 
Daniel Kehr, J. S. Himmelreich and A. Riehm. 

Appointments : Conference District, J. Long, presiding elder. 
Canton Circuit, G. Anstein and J. J. Kopp ; Wooster, C. Ham- 
mer and Christian Leitner ; Sandusky, George Mattinger and E. 
Sichley; Lancaster, J. H. Yambert and M. Miller. 

1833. Eastern Conference, Orwigsburg, Pa., June 3. T. 
Buck, president; J. Seybert, secretary. J. S. Himmelreich 
and J. Borkert located. J. Schnerr and J. G. Zinzer were 
ordained elders, and J. Rossner, D. Brickley, J. Borkert, J. 
P. Leib, C. Hesser, J. Young, and J. Klein, deacons. Newly 
received — John Sensel, Isaac Deppen, Michael F. Maize, 
Solomon Altimos, Daniel Miesse and Jacob Boas. Elected 
presiding elders — P. Wagoner, W. W. Orwig and J. M. Saylor. 

A new edition of the Viole was ordered and J. M. Saylor and 
J. P. Leib were appointed a committee to compile an English 
hymn book. To this committee W. W. Orwig, A. Ettinger and 
Joseph Hammer were added the following year, when it was pub- 
lished. It contained 333 hymns. About ten years afterwards a 
larger and greatly improved hymn book was published. 

This was a year of great prosperity. Extensive revivals oc- 
curred on many charges, and the ingathering of souls was great, 
as will be seen from the fact that after deducting all losses by 
death, backsliding, withdrawals, etc., there was still a net gain 
of 331. The Church extended her borders, new charges were 
formed, and plenty of zealous and consecrated men were ready 
for work. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding elder. 
Schuylkill Circuit, J. P. Leib and I. Deppen; Lebanon, J. 
Schnerr and J. Sensel ; Lancaster, J. Roessner and J. Lutz. 

II. Zion District, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder. York Cir- 
cuit, J. Z. Zinzer and Joseph Harlacher ; Gettysburg, E. Stoever 
and H. Bucks; Franklin, J. Barber and S. Baumgardner; Shen- 
andoah, J. Bell and M. F. Maize. 

III. Salem District, J. M. Saylor, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. C. Reisner and F. Hoffman ; Lycoming, G. Schneider 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 245 

and G. Brickley ; Centre, Charles Hesser and J. Young ; Som- 
erset, D. Brickley and A. Frey ; Indiana, S. G. Miller and Jacob 
Boas. 

IV. Carmel District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit (N.Y.), D. Kehr and S. Altimos; Mohawk, (N.Y.), F. 
Glasser; Buffalo (N.Y.), J. H. Yambert; Erie (N.Y. and Pa.), 
J. Seybert. H. Niebel and C. Kring went to the Western Con- 
ference. 

1833. Western Conference, Pleasant township, Fairfield 
county, O., May 6. Joseph Long, president; J. H. Yambert, 
secretary. Located — Joseph Long, G. Anstein and Christian 
Leitner. Died — Samuel Frey. Ordained elder — Charles 
Hammer ; deacons — M. Miller, S. Seger and Henry Downey. 
Newly received — Daniel Tobias, Peter Getz, John Schreffler 
and Henry McBride. Henry Niebel was appointed presiding 
elder by the Eastern Conference. 

Appointments : Conference District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Lancaster Circuit, Charles Hammer and Elias Sichley ; 
Sandusky, M. Miller and P. Getz; Canton, C. Kring and D. 
Tobias ; Wooster, J. J. Kopp and A. Yambert ; Miami, G. Mat' 
tinger and J. SchrefHer. 

1834. Eastern Conference, New Berlin, Pa., June 2. W. 
W. Orwig, president; J. Seybert, secretary. Located — T. 
Buck, J. H. Yambert, S. G. Miller, D. Miesse, J. Borkert 
and J. Roessner. Died — Christian Wolf, J. W. Miller and 
H. Young. Newly received — John Noecker, Jacob Baylor, 
Daniel Berger, Jacob Riegel, John Riegel and John M. 
Sindlinger. Jacob Hammer was elected treasurer of the Char- 
itable Funds. A committee was appointed to examine the new 
English hymn book, compiled by J. M. Saylor and J. P. Leib. 
One thousand five hundred copies of the Saitenspiel (the larger 
German hymn book), and 1,500 of the Biography of Albright 
and Miller were ordered to be published. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, J. P. Leib and J. Sensel; Lebanon, 
J. M. Saylor and John Reigel ; Lancaster, H. Fisher and Jacob 
Saylor. 

11. Zion District, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder. York Cir- 
cuit, J. Schnerr and M. F. Maize; Gettysburg, D. Kehr and 
J. Noecker; Cumberland, C. Hesser and A. Frey; Shenandoah 
( Va. ), S. Altimos and J. Schimp. 



246 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

III. Salem District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. Young and D. Berger; Lycoming, G. Brickley and 
S. Tobias; Centre, F. Hoffman and J. M. Sindlinger; Somer- 
set, H. Bucks and G. Schneider; Indiana, J. Lutz and P. Goetz. 

IV. Carmel District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit (N. Y.), J. Harlacher and J. Boas; Mohawk (N. Y.), 
Jacob Riegel; Buffalo (N.Y.), D. Brickley; Erie, E. Stoever. 

1834. Western Conference, Lake township, Stark county, 
O., May 5. Henry Niebel, president; C. Hammer, secretary. 
J. J. Kopp and E. Sichley were ordained deacons. F. Borauf 
died during the year. Newly received — Peter Wiest, Samuel 
Van Gundy and Jacob Frey. 

Appointments : Conference District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Lancaster Circuit, S. Baumgardner and G. Mattinger; 
Wooster, E. Sichley and D. Tobias ; Sandusky, J. J. Kopp and 
A. Yambert; Canton, C. Hammer, S. Van Gundy; Miami, C. 
Kring and P. Wiest. 

1835* Eastern Conference, Lebanon, Pa., June i. W.W. 
Orwig, president; J. Seybert, secretary. Located — S.Tobias, 
and D. Kehr. Newly received — Sebastian Mosser, Henry 
Thomas, John A. Jacobs, Fred. Miller, Jacob Kehr, Daniel 
N. Long, John Poorman, Henry Keagel, Samuel Friess and 
George Seger. Ordained elders — C. Hesser, J. P. Leib and 
D. Brickley. Deacons — ^J. Boas, H. Fisher, J. Sensel, J. 
Lutz, A. Frey, M. F. Maize and S. Altimos. 

Appointments: I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, C. Hammer and S. Mosser; Lehigh, 
J. M. Saylor and Jacob Riegel; Lebanon, C. Hesser and H. 
Thomas ; Lancaster, Jacob Saylor and John ^Reigel ; Philadel- 
phia, J. Schnerr. 

II. Zion District, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder. York Cir- 
cuit, F. Hoffman and H. Fisher ; Gettysburg, S. G. Miller and 
J. A. Jacobs; Cumberland, J. P. Leib, G. Schneider and F. 
Miller; Shenandoah (Va.), J. Shimp and D. N. Long. 

III. Salem District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. Sensel and J. Poorman ; Columbia, D. Berger and J. 
M. Sindlinger ; Centre, J. Brickley and H. Keagel ; Lycoming, 
J. Young; Lake (N. Y.), M. F. Maize and J. Kehr; Buffalo, 
J. Harlacher and S. Friess. 

IV. Carmel District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Somer- 
set Circuit, J. Lutz, A. Frey and G. Seger ; Indiana, S. Altimos 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 247 

and J. Boas; Erie, J. Brickley and J. Noecker; Canton (0.)> 
E. Stoever and P. Goetz. 

1835, Western Conference, Lake township, Stark county, 
O., May 4. H. Niebel, president; Chas. Hammer, secretary. 
Located — J. Roessner and G. Mattinger. Ordained deacon 
Joseph Ebbert. 

Appointments: Conference District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder. Canton Circuit, J. Frey ; Wooster, H. Bucks and P. Wiest; 
Mansfield, J. J. Kopp and S. Van Gundy ; Sandusky, S. Baum- 
gardner and A. Yambert ; Lancaster, C. Kring and A. Eby ; 
Miami, E. Sichley. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Fifth General Conference, Held at Orwigsburg, Pa., 
May 25, 1835. 

1835. General Conference, fifth session, Orwigsburg, Pa., 
May 25. Henry Niebel, president; J. G. Zinzer, secretary. 
Somerset, Indiana and Erie Circuits were detached from the 
Eastern and added to the Western Conference, and a new district 
was formed called '^Carmel." The time of holding the confer- 
ences was made earlier. Four thousand copies of the Geistliche 
Viole were ordered to be published. It was ordered that here- 
after the proceedings of the quarterly conference be recorded in 
books kept for that purpose. It was resolved to establish a 
religious .paper to be called Der Christliche Botschafter (The 
Christian Messenger), and P.Wagoner, J. M. Saylor and Chas. 
Hammer were appointed a committee to formulate rules for its 
publication. The committee reported that the periodical should 
be issued monthl y at seventy-five cents per year, if paid in advance, 
or one dollar if paid at the end of the year. All preachers in 
charge shall act as agents ; settlements to be made for the same 
to the presiding elders, who in turn were to settle with the pub- 
lisher. The committee was instructed to take charge of the 
enterprise, and begin the publication of the paper as soon as 700 
subscribers are secured. The presiding elders shall also act as 
general agents for all books and publications of the society, and 
shall receive a commission of one cent on each small and two 
cents on each large book delivered through him to the preachers. 
The conference took important action with regard to Sabbath- 
schools, making it obligatory on the preachers to be interested 
in the matter, and introduced them wherever practicable. 

Local preachers* conferences were ordered to be held on each 
charge having several of them, and conference made rules of 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 24^ 

business for their government. This legislation does not seem 
to have been carried out, and the holding of such conferences on 
each charge, as independent of the quarterly conference, never 
met with favor. 

The conference founded the '^Chari table Society of the Evan- 
gelical Association," to be located at Orwigsburg, Pa. The dele- 
gate system was not yet introduced and all elders had the privilege 
of attending and were entitled to vote. Elders present — H. 
NiEBEL, J. G. ZiNZER, J. Seybert, W. W. Orwig, P. Wagoner, 
J. Barber, J. Breidenstein, J. C. Reisner, J. Long, C. Ham- 
mer, J. H. Yambert, C. Kring, J. Schnerr, D. Kehr, S. G. 
Miller, G. Brickley, F. Hoffman, E. Stoever, J. M. Saylor. 

1836. Eastern Conference, Rebersburg, Pa., March 28. 
Philip Wagoner, president; Charles Hammer, secretary. Lo- 
cated — J. M. Saylor and S. G. Miller. Newly received — 
Christian Holl, Martin Hartman, Henry Westhafer, Lud- 
wig Shuppert and Jacob Vogelbach. Elected presiding elder 
— J. P. Leib. a committee examined Samuel Miller's "-^Das 
Kernwesen von der Erlosung,^^ (Essentials of Redemption), and 
Solomon Miller's ^^Kette der Verunnft^" (Chain of Reason),, 
and both works were approved and soon thereafter published. 
J. M. Saylor was elected treasurer of the book funds. A Gen- 
eral Conference was ordered to be held Nov. 14, 1836, in Som- 
erset county, Pa. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, J. Barber and H. Westhafer ; Read- 
ing, Jacob Saylor; Lebanon, J. Young and M. Hartman; Lan- 
caster, John Riegel and L. Shuppert ; Philadelphia, J. Schnerr. 

II. Zion District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. York Circuit, 
G. Brickley; Gettysburg, J. Jacobs and H. Thomas; Cumber- 
land, C. Hesser and F. Miller; Shenandoah, Va., M. F. Maize. 

III. Salem District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, D. Berger and Christian Holl; Columbia, J. M. Sind- 
linger; Centre, J. Sensel and H. Keagel; Lycoming, F. Hoff- 
man and S. Mosser. 

IV. Moriah District, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder. Lake 
Circait, N. Y., Jacob Reigel and P. Plenneberger ; Buffalo, C. 
Hammer and J. Kehr ; Buffalo Station, Jos. Harlacher. 

1836* The Western Conference met in Jackson township, 
Wayne county, Ohio, March 7. Henry Niebel, president; J. 
G. Zinzer, secretary. Located — Andrew Eby, and Conrad 



250 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Kring. Newly received — Lewis Einsel, William Campbell, 
John R. Miller and Matthias Hauert. Ordained elders — 
Henry Bucks, Samuel Baumgardner and J. J. Kopp. Dea- 
cons — Samuel Van Gundy, John Noecker, John Thomas, 
Peter Wiest, Absalom B. Schaeffer and Aaron Yambert. 

Appointments ; I. Ohio District, Daniel Brickly, presiding 
elder. Miami Circuit, John Lutz ; Lancaster, Samuel Van Gun- 
dy and William Bergheimer ; Crawford, Henry Bucks and George 
Seger ; Sandusky, Elias Sichley and Lewis Einsel. 

II. Tabor District, Henry Niebel, presiding elder. Mans- 
field, Elias Stoever and JohnR. Miller; Wooster, Samuel Baum- 
gardner and William Campbell ; Canton, Abraham Frey and John 
Noecker; Columbianna, J. J. Kopp. 

III. Carmel District, John G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Erie 
Circuit, Jacob Boas and Aaron Yambert; Armstrong, S. Altimos 
and Matthias Hauert; Indiana, Pa., Peter Wiest and D. W. 
Long; Somerset, Daniel Kehr and Peter Getz. 

The bounds of the Ohio Conference were considerably en- 
larged. Carmel District lay almost entirely in Pennsylvania. 
This was a year of unusual progress. Some of the notable events 
were the establishment of the Christliche Botschafter; the in- 
troduction and establishment of our work in Canada by J. G. 
Zinzer and C. Hammer, and the introduction of protracted 
meetings. A number of churches were built. The camp-meetings 
were uniformly successful, and the work in general prospered. 



CHAPTER VII 



Sixth General Conference, Held Near Somerset, Pa., 
Nov. 14, 1836. 

1836. General Conference, sixth (special) session, house 
of John Ferner, near Somerset, Pa., Nov. 14. Henry Niebel 
was president, and Charles Hammer, secretary. The chief 
business was the re-establishment of a Publishing House. P. 
Wagoner, W. W. Orwig, and John Rank, Esq., were appointed 
to build or purchase a suitable edifice in New Berlin, Pa., and 
W. W. Orwig was appointed to collect money for that purpose. 
In case he did not succeed, a building for the printing business 
should be rented. Owing to the distance of his home from New 
Berlin, Bro. A. Ettinger resigned the editorship of the Christ- 
Uche Botschafter, andW. W. Orwig was elected. Charles Ham- 
mer was elected presiding elder in place of W. W. Orwig. The 
salary of the editor was made equal to that of a married itiner- 
ant with an additional allowance equal that of an unmarried man. 
It was resolved that hereafter the editor of the Botschafter shall 
be elected by the General Conference, and shall be eligible only 
for two successive terms of four years each. 

An edition of 2,000 copies of J. C. Reisner's German school 
book was ordered to be published, also an edition of 4,000 copies 
of the Viole. 

^*It was resolved that the two annual conferences shall here- 
after be independent of each other in their proceedings, the con- 
tributions for the support of the preachers alone excepted. Up 
to this time the Western Conference had been entirely dependent 
on the Eastern in its proceedings, the latter body having the 
power to approve or reject them, as it deemed best. The con- 
tributions toward the support of the ministers however, remained 



252 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

the joint property of the two conferences, and were equally di- 
vided between them, in proportion to the number of itinerants 
composing each conference." (Orwig.) 

This conference established the rule of discipline requiring 
preachers in charge to give certificates of recommendation to 
members who move from one charge to another. 

In reference to the proper subjects and the mode of baptism 
the conference granted liberty of conscience to the members of 
the society. 

It was ordained that hereafter the Western Conference shall 
annually send two delegates to attend the Eastern Conference, 
who shall, in conection with three members of the Eastern Con- 
ference, constitute a committe to examine all books and manu- 
scripts for publication. 

Samuel Witt, of Somerset, was ordained deacon. The elders 
present were : Henry Niebel, Charles Hammer, H. Bucks, 
Samuel Baumgardner, Solomon G. Miller, J. G. Zinzer, 
Elias Stover, J. Young, Jacob Schnerr, Charles Hesser, J. 
Seybert, W. W. Orwig, P. Wagoner, Daniel Brickly, Geo. 
Brickly, J. J. Kopp, Francis Hoffman, J. P. Leib, and Daniel 
Kehr. 

1837* Eastern Conference, New Berlin, Pa., March 27. P. 
Wagoner, president; Charles Hammer, secretary.. Located — 
M. Hartman. Ordained deacons — Henry Keagel, J. Kehr, 
J. Jacobs, Henry Thomas, Peter Henneberger, and Sebas- 
tian MussER. Elders — John Young and Michael F. Maize. 
Newly received — Henry Stoetzel, Moses Bauer, George Del- 
lingr, George Schaeffer, Benjamim Epply, Jacob Rank, 
George T. Haines, Charles Wagoner, Jacob Miller, Mich- 
ael Eis, Ch. Hummel and Henry Miesse. Philip Wagoner 
was elected presiding elder. The following works were ordered 
to be printed, (if approved by the board of publication) : Thomas 
AKempis' works, 1,500 copies; J. Vogelbach's German school 
book, 1,000 copies; Miller's '^Practical Christianity," 1,000 
copies. The Publishing Committee was also instructed to pub- 
lish the Bible, several thousand Sunday-school tickets, and 500 
copies of the constitution of the Charitable Society. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, J. Seybert, presiding 
elder. Schuylkill Circuit, Thomas Buck ; Lykens, J. Barber and 
P. Schwilley ; Reading, Jacob Saylor and Michael Eis ; Lebanon, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 253 

F. Hoffman and J. Vogelbach ; Lancaster, J. M. Sindlinger and 
J. Noecker ; Philadelphia, Charles Hesser. 

II. Zion District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. York Circuit, J. 
Sensel an4 H. Westhafer ] Gettysburg, J. Schnerr and F. Mil- 
ler ; Cumberland, M. F. Maize, Ch. Holl and George Schaffer ; 
Shenandoah, (Va.), P. Henneberger and M. Bower. 

III. Salem District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. Jacobs and H. Thomas ; Columbia, George Brickly 
and J. Schuppert; Lycoming, S. Mosser and G. T. Haines; 
Centre, D. Berger and W. Heim. 

IV. Moriah District, C. Hammer, presiding elder. Dans- 
ville Circuit, (N. Y.), J. Kehr; Lake, H. Keagel and George 
Dellinger ; Buffalo Circuit, Jacob Riegel and H. Stoetzel ; Buffalo 
Station, Joseph Harlacher. 

1837. Western Cenference, Green township. Stark county, 

C, March 6-11. Henry Niebel, president; Samuel Baum- 
GARDNER, Secretary. Located — Benjamin Bixler and W. Camp- 
bell. Newly received — Isaac Hoffert, Robert Miller and 
Henry Heiss. Ordained elders — Solomon Altimos, Jacob 
Boas and John Lentz. Deacons — George Seger, Daniel N. 
Long, Peter Lentz and Ch. Aubel. Committee to visit the 
Eastern Conference — J. C. Zinzer and Daniel Brickly. 

Appointments : I. Ohio District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. 
Miami Circuit, Jacob Boas and Daniel Swartz; Lancaster, J. 
Riegel, J. R. Miller and Matthias Hauert; Crawford, A. B. 
Schaeffer and Peter Getz ; Sandusky, J. Lentz and Isaac Hauert. 

II. Tabor District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Mansfield Circuit, Abraham Frey and Lewis Einsel ; Wooster, J. 
J. Kopp and George Seger; Canton, Samuel Van Gundy and 
H. Heiss ; Columbianna, E. Stoever and John Kerstetter. 

III. Carmel District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Erie 
Circuit, H. Bucks and Robert Miller; Armstrong, Peter Wiest and 

D. N. Long; Indiana, Daniel Kehr and William Berkheimer; 
Somerset, Aaron Yambert, J. Young and Benjamin Epply. 

General progress : Philadelphia Station prospered wonder- 
fully, and a chureh was built and dedicated Oct. i. Our work 
in Buffalo, N. Y., was founded by Joseph Harlacher. J. Boas 
visited Illinois and established the work in that State. 

1838* Eastern Conference, Orwigsburgh, Pa., March 28. 
P. Wagoner, president; F. Hoffman, secretary. Located — 
Joseph Harlacher, J. Kehr, and Jacob Saylor. Newly 



254 E VANGELIGAL A880GIA TIOJST ANNALS. 

received — Frederick Krecker, William Mintz, John Rosen- 
BERGER, Samuel Krall and Alex. Longsdorf. Ordained 
elders — Daniel Berger, Jacob Saylor, Jacob Riegel and J. 
M. Sindlinger. Deacons — J. Vogelbach, W. Heim, H. West- 
HAFER, Fredericr Miller, CHRISTIAN HoLL and George Shaf- 
fer. J. Seybert was re-elected, and T. Buck newly elected 
presiding elder. The conference sent $410 to the Western Con- 
ference for the support of preachers. 

It was resolved that parsonages be erected, if practicable, on 
every charge, the quarterly conferences to elect three trustees to 
attend to the same, subject to the advice of the presiding elder 
and preacher in charge. Conference ordered the following 
works to be printed, subject to the approval of the committee: 
3,000 copies of the small English hymn book; 2,000 copies of 
Thomas a Kempis* ''Imitation of Christ;'^ and 2,000 copies of 
Miller's ''Practical Christianity." A missionary society was 
organized. A resolution deprecating the use of tobacco, and 
forbidding preachers to engage in its traffic, was adopted. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding 
elder. Lykens Circuit, D. Kehr and S. Mosser ; Schuylkill, M. 
F. Maize ; Womelsdorf, J. Schnerr ; Lebanon, J. Vogelbach and 
W. Mintz ; Lancaster, J. Sindlinger and J. Rosenberger. 

II. Philadelphia District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Phil- 
adelphia Station, C. Hesser. Reading Circuit, H. Fisher and 
M. Eis ; Lehigh, F. Hoffman and P. Henneberger. 

III. Zion District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. York Cir- 
cuit, J. Sensel and W. Heim ; Gettysburg, G. Schaffer and H. 
Westhafer; Cumberland, J. Young, J. Jacobs and S. Krall; 
Shenandoah, (Va.), F. Miller and Moses Bower. 

IV. Salem District, J. Seybert, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, H. Thomas and H. Keagel ; Columbia, J. Barber, B. Epply 
and F. Krecker; Centre, D. Berger and Alex. Longsdorf; Ly- 
coming, G. Brickley and P. Schwilley. 

Moriah District, N. Y., Charles Hammer, presiding elder. 
Lake Circuit, J. Reigel and C. Hummel ; Dansville, H. Stoetzel ; 
Buffalo, C. Holl and G. T. Haines. 

838. Western Conference, Jackson township, Wayne 
county, Ohio, March 5. H. Niebel, president; S. Baumgard- 
NER, secretary. Located — George Seger, Daniel Swartz, 
J. Kerstetter and John Reigel. Newly received — Joseph 
Hummel. Ordained Elder — Saimuel Van Gundy. Deacons— 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 255 

Lewis Einsel, William Bergheimer and J. Kerstetter. 
Daniel Kehr removed to the Eastern Conference. Henry 
Bucks and Jacob Boas were elected delegates to the Eastern 
Conference. 

Appointments : I. Ohio District, H. Niebel, presiding 
elder; Illinois, P. Wiest. Miami Circuit, Aaron Yambert; Lan- 
caster, J. G. Zinzer and George Dressel j Crawford, J. J. Kopp, 
M. Hauert and Jacob Rank ; Sandusky, P. Getz and Abraham 
Loehner. 

II. Tabor District, S. Baumgardner, presiding elder. Mans- 
field Circuit, A. B. Schaeffer, H. Longbrake and Joseph Hum- 
mel; Wooster, D. N. Long and J. R. Miller; Canton, Jacob 
Boas and J. Peters; Columbianna, S. Van Gundy and H. D. 
Grunder ; Erie, E. Stoever and Charles Wagoner. 

III. Carmel District, Pa., H. Bucks, presiding elder. Frank- 
lin, John Lutz ; Indiana, Robert Miller ; Armstrong, William 
Bergheimer and H. Heiss ; Somerset, L. Einsel and Isaac Hof- 
fert. 

In 1838, S. Altimos, an earnest and successful preacher 
from the Eastern Conterence removed to Monroe county, Mich- 
igan. Invalid though he was, he began to labor without ap- 
pointment for the Master's cause, meeting with open doors every- 
where. He preached in many places in Adams, Wells and Allen 
counties, also in Detroit, visiting also Fort Wayne, Indiana, 
where he opened the way for our preachers. His first revival 
took place in December, 1838, on Port Creek, Michigan, where 
he organized the first class in Michigan. 

1839. Eastern Conference was held in Lebanon, Pa., 
April II. Bishop J. Seybert, president; F. Hoffman, secre- 
tary. Located— J. Schnerr, H. Keagel, J. Reigel, S. Krall 
and Frederick Miller. Newly received — John Kreamer, 
Joseph Rissman, Joseph Best, Henry Rohland, Abraham 
FoRRY, David Mertz, Ceorge Ramige, John Kauffman and 
George Dressler. Ordained elders — J. A. Jacobs and Sebas- 
tian Mosser. Deacons — Christian Hummel, B. Epply, H. 
Stoetzel, G. T. Haines and P. Schwilley. Elected presiding 
elder — George Brickly and J. M. Sindlinger. The salary of 
the preacher for Philadelphia was fixed at ^250. 

Appointments : I. Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding 
elder. Lykens Circuit, Benjamin Epply and M. Lehn; Potts- 
ville and Minersville, M. F. Maize; Schuylkill, Charles Hesser; 



256 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

Lebanon, F. Hoffman, F. Krecker and D. Mertz ; Lancaster, G. 
Schaeffer and J. Kreamer. 

II. Philadelphia District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Le- 
high Circuit, D. Berger and G. T. Haines. Philadelphia Sta- 
tion, J. Vogelbach. Reading Circuit, W. Heim and W. Mintz. 

III. Moriah District, N. Y., J. M. Sindlinger, presiding 
elder. Dansville Circuit, D. Kehr; Lake, J. Harlacher; Buffalo, 
P. Schwilley and G. Ramige. 

Missions, N. Y. : New York Mission, J. Burkett ; Mohawk, 
C. Hummel; Waterloo, Upper Canada, C. HoU; Black Creek, 
Canada, M. Eis. 

West Pa. Conference : I. Zion District, P. Wagoner, pre- 
siding elder. York Circuit, H. Fisher and J. Rosenberger ; Get- 
tysburg, J. Sensel and P. Henneberger; Cumberland, J. A. 
Jacobs, Abraham Forry and H. Westhafer. 

II. Salem District, George Brickly, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, J. Barber and J. Best ; Centre, H. Thomas and H. Roh- 
land; Columbia, S. Mosser and A. Longsdorf; Lycoming, J. 
Young and J. Rissman. 

1*839. Western Conference, Green township. Stark county, 
Ohio, March 4. Henry Niebel, president; Samuel Baum- 
GARDNER, Secretary. Located — Joseph Hummel and Abraham 
Loehner. Newly received — Samuel Heiss, Abraham Niebel, 
Daniel Kern, Christian Augenstein and John Holl. Or- 
dained elders — A. B. Schaeffer, Peter Getz, Peter Wiest 
and Aaron Yambert. Deacons — M. Hauert, George Del- 
linger, Henry Heiss, John R. Miller, Isaac Hoffer and 
Benjamin Bixler. Henry Buck was re-elected and J. G. 
ZiNZER newly elected presiding elder. 

Appointments : L Ohio District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. 
Miami Circuit, I. Hofter and H. Longbrake; Baltimore, J. Lutz ; 
Lancaster, A. B. Schaeffer and Ch. Augenstein. 

II. Sandusky District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. Illinois 
Circuit, Lewis Einsel;Maumee, William Bergheimer; Sandusky, 
J. R. Miller and D. Kern; Marion, Benjamin Bixler ; Crawford, 
P. Wiest and Robert Miller ; Mansfield, J. J. Kopp and J. Peters ; 
Wayne, Aaron Lambert and J. Hall. 

III. Tabor District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Bristol Circuit, E. Stoever and A. Niebel; Canton, George Dres- 
sel and A. Stroh ; Columbianna, P. Getz and George Seger ; 
Harmony, S. Van Gundy ; Erie, J. H. Lambert. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 257 

IV. Carmel District, (Pa.), H. Buck, presiding elder. 
Franklin, Henry Heiss ; Armstrong, George Bellinger and Sam- 
uel Heiss ; Indiana, D. N. Long and Charles Wagoner ; Somer- 
set, M. Hauert and Jacob Rank; Bedford, J. Boas and J. 
Noecker. 

SECOND PERIOD~i839-i85o. 

1839* General Conference, seventh sesssion, Mosser*s 
church, near Millheim, Pa, March 25. After the opening exer- 
cises, conducted by Henry Niebel, Thomas Buck was elected 
president, who appointed George Brickley secretary. 

This was one of the most important sessions ever held, and 
marks the beginning of a new epoch in the history of the Church. 

Hitherto the Discipline neither defined nor limited the pow- 
ers of the General Conference, and its power to alter or add to 
the Articles of Faith and Discipline was practically unlimited. 
Provisions were made at this conference, limiting and defining its 
power in accordance with a constitution by which it shall here- 
after be governed. 

The powers of the bishop, which were materially limited by 
the last General Conference, were still further curtailed by re- 
moving his authority to assign (with the assistance of two pre- 
siding elders) the presiding elders to their districts and the itin- 
erants to their circuits, and to transfer, in the intervals of the an- 
nual conference, presiding elders or preachers at his discretion. 

Hitherto all members had a right to sit as members of Gen- 
eral Conference. This conference introduced the delegate sys- 
tem by ordaining that hereafter the General Conference shall be 
constituted on a basis of one member out of every four of the 
annual conferences. 

The following sections were added to the Discipline: <'0f 
selling and using spiritous liquors;" **0f slavery;" *<0f the 
support of missions ; " with many changes of minor importance. 

The Christliche Botschafter was ordered to be enlarged, and 
to appear semi-monthly instead of monthly, the price to be raised 
from seventy-five cents to $1 per annum. Arrangements were 
made to publish a German pocket Bible. An elementary school 
book by W. W. Orwig, in manuscript, was approved, and 6,000 
copies were ordered to be printed, as also a number of Sunday- 
school books. Steps were taken for the publication of a history 



258 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

of the Evangelical Association. A committee of three was ap- 
pointed to gather material, viz., T. Buck for the East Pennsyl- 
vania, Charles Hammer for the West Pennsylvania, and John 
Dreisbach for the Ohio Conference. They were to place the 
matter thus collected in the hands of W. W. Orwig, who was to 
prepare it for publication. 

A standing book committee was appointed to inspect annu- 
ally the chief book concern, and audit the accounts of the chief 
book steward. A second committee was appointed to inspect 
manuscripts offered for publication, and a third to select and pre- 
pare Sunday-school books for publication. 

The annual conference bounds were changed as follows : 
Zion and Salem Districts, of the Eastern Conference, and Gar- 
mel District, of the Western Conference, were constituted a new 
annual conference, called the West Pennsylvania. The Western 
Conference was changed to the Ohio. The geographical bounds 
of the conferences were as follows : The first named embraced 
that part of Pennsylvania east of the Susquehanna River, New 
York, as far as Buffalo, and subsequently Upper Canada. The 
second embraced the territory west of the Susquehanna (and 
the north branch of the same), Carroll county, Maryland, and 
Washington county in the western part of the State. The Shenan- 
doah Valley in Virginia, as far south as Woodstock, and several 
of the counties in (now) West Virginia, along the Potomac 
River. The third embraced the greater part of Ohio, and ex- 
tended into Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

John Seybert was elected bishop, W. W. Orwig was re- 
elected editor of the Christliche Boischafier, and Charles Ham- 
mer was elected book agent. 

A constitution for a general missionary society was approved 
and adopted, and the organization already effected under that 
constitution was called **The Missionary Society of the Evan- 
gelical Association of North America. " This was constituted the 
parent society, all conference societies to be auxiliaries. 

Stringent resolutions were adopted, making it incumbent upon 
local preachers to attend local preachers* conferences. In case 
of neglect, for the first offence the offender shall be put on pro- 
bation, and for the second offense he shall be deposed. 

The preachers were enjoined to preach, defend and admin- 
ister infant as well as adult baptism, according to our Discipline, 
and if any who were baptized in infancy are not satisfied, they 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 259 

shall be re-baptized; but no preacher shall advocate re-baptism. 

Elders present — Eastern Conference : Thomas Buck, James 
Barber, John Sensel, George Brickley, Daniel Kehr, Joseph 
Harlacher, Francis Hoffman, J. M. Sindlinger, John Young, 
Charles Hammer, Charles Hesser, John Seybert, Michael 
F. Maize, Solomon G. Miller, John P. Leib, Daniel Berger, 
Philip Wagoner, W. W. Orwig. 

Western Conference: Joseph Long, Elias Stoever, John 
LuTZ, Henry Niebel, Jacob Boas, Peter Wiest, John G. 
Zinzer, Absalom B. Shaffer, Peter Gates, Henry Buck, 
Samuel Van Gundy, Aaron Yambert, J. J. Kopp. 

This period is especially eventful in the history of the Evan- 
gelical Association. The General Conference of 1839 marks 
the introduction of a new era in the church. Narrow methods 
were thrown aside, and the church caught the spirit of progress 
everywhere astir in the land. The most marked characteristic 
of this period is the wonderful impetus given the church by the 
development of the great West. Soon after his elevation to the 
episcopacy, Bishop Seybert paid a visit to Illinois. The great 
influx of Germans into that State and Wisconsin, in addition to 
the extensive emigration from Pennsylvania, deeply impressed 
him with the importance of our work in that ever-widening field. 
His foresight is well attested by the success which crowned the 
labors of the Evangelical missionaries in that region. They 
were the first German missionaries in many cities of Illinois, 
notably Chicago, and were among the first to carry a pure gos- 
pel to the sons and daughters of the Fatherland in the territory 
of Wisconsin, 

This period also marks the revival of the English interests of 
the Evangelical Association. The first General Conference 
composed of regularly elected delegates was held in 1843. Here 
the old tradition that the church should confine itself to the Ger- 
man element, was thrown aside. The narrow policy of former 
years was completely reversed, and the pace was set in accord- 
ance with what seemed to be the manifest destiny of the Church. 
The General Conference having sounded the key note of prog- 
ress, the church in general caught up the refrain. While the 
work gained ground rapidly among the Germans of the West, 
it was no less successful in the East. 

The establishing of the English organ of the church, the 
Evangelical Messenger, was proof positive that the Association 



260 EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

had enlarged her sphere of labor beyond the lines of language 
and national prejudices, and that her calling, whatever it may 
have been in the past, was now manifestly to work in whatever 
way or capacity the guiding hand of Providence might direct. 

1840. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., March 
25. Bishop J. Seybert, president: Jacob Vogelbach, secre- 
tary. Newly received — F. Banner, D. Fisher and Michael 
SiNDLiNGER. Ordained elders — J. Vogelbach, W. Heim, G. 
SCHAEFFER and C. HoLL. Deacons — W. Minik, F. Krecker, 
J. RosENBERGER, M. Eis and M. Lehn. J. P. Leib was re- 
elected presiding elder. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, J. P. Leib, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia, J. Vogelbach ; Milford Circuit, J. Sen- 
sel and H. Stoetzel; Lehigh, M. F. Maize and G. T. Haines; 
Reading, Jacob Saylor and Henry Fisher. 

IL Canaan District, T. Buck, presiding elder. Lykens Cir- 
cuit, C. HoU and W. Mintz ; Schuylkill, F. Hoffman, Charles 
Hesser and D. Mertz ; Lebanon, D. Berger and F. Danner ; Lan- 
caster, W. Heim and J. Kramer. 

in. Moriah District, (N. Y.), J. M. Sindlinger, presiding 
elder. Mohawk Circuit, C. Hummel and G. Ramige ; Lake, M. 
Lehn and D. Fisher ; Buffalo, P. Schwilley, Buffalo Station, Fred. 
Krecker; Black Creek, M. Eis and Michael Sindlinger; Water- 
loo Mission, J. Harlacker; New York City Mission, Jacob 
Burkett. 

1840. West Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., April 8. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; George Brickley, secretary. 
Henry Thomas was ordained elder, and Jacob Rank and Alex- 
ander LoNGSDORF deacons. Owing to a great lack of preach- 
ers, the West Pa. Conference was at this session sadly reduced,* 
and the Fourth of July next was appointed as a day of fasting 
and prayer, that God would raise up ministers to carry on the 
work. 

Appointments : I. Zion District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. 
York and Gettysburg Circuits, John A. Jacobs and J. Kauffman ; 
Cumberland, George Shaffer and Moses Bower; Baltimore Sta- 
tion, Jacob Boas. 

n. Salem District, George Brickly presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, Benjamin Epply; Lycoming, James Barber; Columbia, 

* See Article on Ministry. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 261 

Alexander Longsdorf and J. Noecker ; Centre, Henry Thomas 
and Jacob Brobst. 

Carmel District, Henry Bucks, presiding elder. Franklin 
Circuit, D. N. Long ; Indiana, Jacob Rank ; Armstrong, George 
Dellinger and Samuel Heiss ; Somerset, Henry Rohland, Charles 
Wagoner; Bedford, M. Hauert. 

1840* Ohio Conference was held in the house of Solomon 
Mover, in Walnut township, Pickaway county, Ohio, beginning 
May 13. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, sec- 
retary. Located — George Seger, William Bergheimer, Ben- 
jamin Bixler and J. Peters. Ordained elder — Lewis Einsel. 
Deacons — Jacob Frey, H. Longbrake, Christian Thomas and 
Robert Miller. Newly received — John Hershev, Levi Heiss, 
Jacob Miller, Jacob Kemmerling, John Schaffer, Frederick 
Wahl, John Mayer, Christian Lintner and Jacob Lutz. 
Samuel Van Gundy and George Dressel died during the year. 

Appointments : I. Ohio District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding 
elder. Illinois Circuit, Isaac Hoffer and D. Kern ; Miami, A. 
B. Schaeffer and Levi Heiss ; Pickaway, Lewis Einsel and Fred- 
erick Wahl ; I>a.ncaster, Aaron Yambert and Jacob Lutz. 

II. Sandusky District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. Sandusky 
Circuit, Robert Miller and Christian Thomas; Lake, Adam 
Stroh and John Hall; Crawford, John R. Miller and John 
Mayer; Marion, H. Longbrake; Mansfield, Abraham Niebel 
and Jacob Kemmerling; Wayne, Samuel Baumgardner and 
Christian Lintner. 

III. Tabor District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Harmony 
Circuit, E. Stoever; Erie, P. Getz and Christian Augenstein. 
Illinois Mission, John Lutz. Bristol Circuit, Jacob Frey and 
John Shaffer ; Canton, P. Wiest and Jacob Miller ; Columbianna, 
Henry Heiss and John Hershey. 

General developments during the year were : Considerable 
ingathering of souls in Canada, especially at Waterloo. Great 
success of J. Boas in Baltimore, Md. Beginning of the work ir. 
Rochester, N. Y., by Samuel Muck. Class formed, Jan. 10, 
1 841. In Philadelphia J. Vogelbach forsook his congregation. 
First class in Wisconsin was formed, near Wilwaukee, John G. 
Esslinger, leader. The work in Indiana (connected with Mi- 
ami Circuit), was considerably extended and the first camp- 
meeting of the church in the State held on land of John Dill, in 
Wayne county. Work established this year in Cleveland, Ohio, 



263 EVANGELICAL A8S0C1A TION ANNALS. 

by A. Stroh, taken up as a mission, 1841, and Lewis Einsel 
appointed missionary. A small church was built the latter year. 
In the Fall of 1840, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder, visited the 
work in Illinois. The book establishment prospered remarkably. 
Michael Maize, Sr., L. Zimmerman (i), S. Altimos(2) and 
William Bergheimer died during the year. 

1841. East Pa. Conference, four miles west of Seneca FaUs, 
N. Y., March 17. Bishop J. Seybert, president; William 
MiNTZ, secretary. Located — H. Stoetzel and D. Mertz. 
Newly received — J. Dareich. Ordained elders — G. T. Haines, 
P. ScHwiLLEY, Ch. Hummel and M. Eis. deacons — J. Kreamer, 
G. Ramige and F. Banner. 

Appointments: I. Philadelphia District, J. P. Leib, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia, Ch. Hesser; Reading Circuit, J. Burkitt; 
Milford, G. T. Haines and W. Garrett; Lehigh, M. F. Maize 
and J. Kreamer ; Womelsdorf, Jacob Saylor. 

II. Canaan District. T. Buck, presiding elder. Lancaster 
Circuit, H. Fisher and C. Holl ; Lebanon Station, D. Berger ; 
Dauphin, J. Sensel. Orwigsburgh, W. Mintz; Schuylkill, F. 
Hoffman ; Pottsville Station, W. Heim ; Lykens, F. Danner and 
S. Neitz. 

III. Moriah District, J. M. Sindlinger, presiding elder. 
Mohawk Circuit, G. Ramige and D. Fisher ; Lake, M. Lehn and 
M. Sindlinger ; Buffalo, Ch. Hummel ; Buffalo Station, F. Kreck- 
er ; Black Creek, P. Schwilley ; Waterloo, J. Harlacher and J. 
Dareich; New York City, Miss., M. Eis. 

1841. West Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., April 7. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president ; H. Bucks, secretary. Located-7- 
H. Thomas. Newly received — Joseph Truby, John Brickley, 

Biographical. — (i)Leonard Zimmerman, Jr., was the son of Leonard 
and Sophia Z., who were among the first supports of Albright. He was bom 
in Schuylkill county, 1783, and died at Manheim, Pa., in 1 840. His wife Anna 
died in 1846, aged 68 years. He was converted in his father's house in the be- 
ginning of the century. He was awakened by a powerful sermon preached by 
Albright from the words, "But who may abide the day of His coming?" 
(Mai. iii. 2). His penitential struggle was severe, so that even Albright de- 
clared he had never witnessed anything like it. In 1811 he was received into 
the traveling ministry and labored with great acceptance until 182 1, when im- 
paired health compelled him to locate, and thereafter he continued in a local 
capacity until his death. 

(2) Solomon Altimos bom in Pennsylvania ; received in the Eastern Con- 
ference 1833 ; removed to Michigan 1838, where he organized the first Evangel- 
ical societies in that year ; died in Monroe county, Michigan, March 18, 1841. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 263 

Jacob Heiss, Joseph Weber and Levi Eberhart. Ordained 
elders — Benjamin Eppley, Adam Ettinger, M. Hauert and 
George Bellinger. Deacons — S. Heiss, M. Bower and H. 
RoHLAND. Re-elected presiding elder — P. Wagoner. 

Appointments : I. Zion District, P. Wagoner, presiding 
elder. York Circuit, A. Ettinger and M. Lehn; Gettysburg, 
George Dellinger ; Cumberland, J. A. Jacobs and D. N. Long; 
Virginia, M. Bower; Baltimore Mission, J. Boas. 

II. Salem District, George Brickley, presiding elder. Colum- 
bia Circuit, D. Kehr; Lycoming, Benjamin Eppley; Union, 
George Schaffer and Joseph Truby ; Centre, James Barber and 
Jacob Heiss. 

HI. Carmel District, Henry Bucks, presiding elder. Bed- 
ford Circuit, Jacob Rank; Somerset, H. Rohland and John 
Brickley; Indiana, Alex. Longsdorf and Levi Eberhart; Clarion, 
M. Hauert and Joseph Weber ; Warren, Samuel Heiss. 

1841. Ohio Conference, Lafayette O., May 12. Bishop 
Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, secretary. Located — 
J. Mayer, J. Hershey, Jacob Miller and Christian Thomas. 
Newly received — John Nicolai, George Klopfer, Christian 
B. Gattle and Simon Keil. Ordained elders — Isaac Hoffer 
and Henry Heiss. Deacons — John Hall, Adam Stroh, Abra- 
ham Niebel, Christian Augenstein and M. Wonder. 

Appointments : I. Ohio District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding 
elder. Lancaster Circuit, A. Niebel and Frederick Wahl ; Pick- 
away, Jacob Frey and Simon Keil; Miami, A. B. Schaeffer and 
J. Nicolai ; Des Plains (111. )> Adam Stroh and Christian Lintner ; 
White Water Mission, Christian Augenstein and George Klopfer; 
Fort Wayne Mission, John Hall ; Illinois Mission, Isaac Hoffer. 
II. Sandusky District, Henry Niebel, presiding elder. San- 
dusky Circuit, R. Miller and D. Wonder; Lake, J. Lutz; Craw- 
ford, Jacob Kemmerling and L. Heiss ; Marion, H. Longbrake 
and D. Kern ; Mansfield, S. Baumgardner ; Wayne, P. Wiest ; 
Cleveland Mission, Lewis Einsel. 

III. Tabor District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Canton 
and Columbianna Circuit, E. Stoever, H. Heiss and B. Gattle ; 
Harmony, Joseph Long ; Erie, P. Getz and John Schaeffer ; 
Bristol, Aaron Yambert and J. R. Miller. 

In the East Pa. Conference the work progressed finely, and 
almost 1,000 new members were added. Philadelphia, which 



264 B VANG E Lie AL ASSOC! A TION ANNALS. 

had suffered through the withdrawal of J. Vogelbach, was again 
greatly revived. In Canada, on Waterloo Mission, Joseph Har- 
LACHER had great success. The newly-established mission at 
Cleveland, O. , under Lewis Einsel, made good progress. Bishop 
Seybert visited Illinois, in July, for the first time and attended 
the first Evangelical camp-meeting in that State, beginning July 
15, on the land of Jacob Esher, near Wheeling, During the 
year Bishop Seybert sent an order to the printing establishment 
for 23,725 books for the Ohio Conference, at a cost of I4, 406. 25 ^ . 
This taxed the resources of the establishment to its utmost. Sev- 
eral articles appeared in the Church paper in favor of a learned 
clergy, which made a good impression. During the year several 
newspapers made serious attacks on the Association and several 
pamphlets were published to injure the cause, to all of which 
the editor of the Botschafter replied in a mild. Christian spirit. 

1842. East Pa. Conference, Allentown, Pa., March 2. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Henry Fisher, secretary. Lo- 
cated — ^J. BuRKETT and Joseph Harlacher. T. Buck permitted 
to remain in the itinerancy and preach as his health will permit. 
Newly received — H. Sauer, Joseph Gross, T. Steck and 
William Schmidt. Ordained elders — W. Mintz, F. Krecker 
and M. Lehn. Deacons — S. Neitz, D. Fisher, M. Sindlinger, 
C. Meyers, S. Miesse and D. Mertz. Elected presiding elder — 
H. Fisher. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, H. Fisher, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia Station, M. F. Maize ; New York Mis- 
sion, C. Meyers \ Milford Circuit, C. Hummel, J, Kreamer and 
Joseph Gross ; Lehigh, C. Hesser and William Mintz ; Womels- 
dorf, F. Hoffman and P. Swilley ; Germantown and Manayunk, 
J. M. Saylor. 

II. Canaan District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Lancaster 
Circuit, J. C. Reisner, J. Dareich and T. Steck ; Lebanon, Jacob 
Saylor and F." Danner; Schuylkill, D. Berger and S. Neitz; 
Lykens, J. Sensel and G. T. Haines ; Pine Grove, T. Buck ; 
Pottsville Station, W. Heim. 

III. Moriah District (N. Y. ), J. M. Sindlinger, presiding 
elder. Mohawk Circuit, M. Lehn and H. Sauer ; Jefferson, D. 
Fisher ; Lake, C. Holl and M. Sindlinger ; Rochester Mission, 
F. Krecker; Buffalo Circuit, G. Ramige ; Buffalo Station, Jacob 
Riegel; Waterloo Circuit, M. Eis andW. Schmidt; Black Creek, 
J. Kehr. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 265 

1842* West Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., April 6. 
Bishop Seybert, president; H. Bucks, secretary. Located — 
J. A. Jacobs and Joseph Weber. Died — Samuel Witt. Newly- 
received — Daniel Sill, Aaron Wolf, David Rishel, George 
Weirich, James DuNLAPand Peter Heiss. Ordained elders — 
Jacob Rank and Alex. Longsdorf. Deacon — Moses McLehn. 
George Brickley resigned the office of presiding elder. Henry 
Bucks was transferred to the East Pa. Conference. Samuel 
Heiss went to the Ohio Conference. Adam Ettinger and 
Daniel Kehr were elected presiding elders. 

Appointments : I. Zion District, Adam Ettinger, presiding 
elder. York Circuit, H. Thomas and J. Edgar; Gettysburg, 
George Dellinger ; Cumberland, Jacob Boas, James Dunlap and 
Peter Heiss; Virginia, M. Bower; Baltimore Station, Charles 
Hammer; Baltimore County Mission, L. Eberhart; York Mis- 
sion, George Brickley. 

II. Salem District, Ph. Wagoner, presiding elder. Union 
Circuit, H. Rohland and Aaron Wolf ; Columbia, George Schaf- 
fer and David Rishel ; Lycoming, Alex. Longsdorf and Simon 
McLehn ; Centre, James Barber and Joseph Truby. 

III. Carmel District, Daniel Kehr, presiding elder. Somer- 
set Circuit, John Brickley and Daniel Sill; Bedford, Moses Lehn 
and George Weirick ; Indiana, Benjamin Eppley ; Warren, Jacob 
Rank ; Clarion, M. Hauert and Jacob Heiss. 

1842. Ohio Conference, Walnut township, Pickaway county, 
O., May II. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, 
secretary. Simon Keil died. J. R. Miller, J. Schaeffer, 
Isaac Hoffer, J. Kemmerling and G. Klepfer located. Newly 
received on probation — Christian Kopp, J. K. Bayer, Fred- 
erick Mayer, J. Bernhart, P. Becker, P. Hahn, G. A. Blank 
and F. R. Tobias. Ordained elders — Jacob Frpy and Henry 
Longbrake. Deacons — J. Mayer, Frederick Wahl, J. Schaef- 
fer, Daniel Kern, Levi Heiss and Abraham Loehner. 

Appointments : I. Ohio District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding 
elder. Lancaster, A. B. Schaeffer and J. K. Bayer; Pickaway, 
H. Longbrake and P. Hahn; Miami, L. Einsel and F. Mayer; 
Des Plains (111. ), F. Wahl and G. A. Blank ; White Water (Ind. ), 
A. Stroh and F. R. Tobias; Fort Wayne (Ind.), J. Hall and J. 
Nicolai; Rock River (111.), L. Heiss and D. Kern; Mt. Carmel 
(111.), Christian Augenstein. 



266 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

II. Sandusky District, H. Niebel, presiding elder. San- 
dusky Circuit, Peter Wiest and J. Bernhart; Lake, P. Gates; 
Crawford, J. Mayer and C. Kopp ; Marion, J. Frey and S. K. 
Miesse ; Mansfield, A. Yambert and H. Downey. 

III. Tabor District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Wayne 
Circuit, E. Stoever and N. Gehr; Bristol, S. Baumgardner and 
D. Wonder; Canton, J. Long and C. B. Gattle ; Columbianna, 
J. Lutz and P. Becker ; Harmony, S. Heiss ; Erie, Abraham 
Niebel and Christian Lintner ; Cleveland, H. Heiss. 

The East Pa. Conference located missions in Germantown, 
Pa., and Rochester, N.Y. The West Pa. Conference established 
a mission in York, Pa., and Baltimore county, Md. Ohio Con- 
ference established Mt. Carmel and Rock River Missions. This 
was a year of great ingathering, and revivals occurred on almost 
every charge. Owing to the stringency of the times the book 
establishment did not prosper so well, and no dividend could 
be given the conferences. Charles Hammer, the agent, had 
resigned and T. Buck had been elected in his place, who entered 
upon his duties in May and died Oct. 26 following. Besides 
the death of T. Buck, who was considered one of the leading 
men, the Church sustained the loss of three itinerants : Adam 
Stroh, who was received by the Ohio Conference in 1840, and 
died April 2, 1843, ^^ Summit county, O., aged twenty-five years ; 
J. Schaeffer, received by the Ohio Conference in 1840, and 
died March 8, 1843, in Erie, Pa., aged twenty-six years; Abra- 
ham Frey, born near Middleburg, Pa., received by the Eastern 
Conference in 1832, and died in Richland county, O., Jan. 29, 
1843, aged thirty-two years. 

This was the first year in the history of the Association that 
a fixed salary was full. An unmarried man received $60, married 
men ^105, with $15 for each child under fourteen years of age, 
and an additional amount for traveling expenses. This caused 
considerable rejoicing. There was a surplus in the treasury, 
which was also divided. 

1843. East Pa. Conference, Lebanon, Pa., March 22. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Henry Fisher, secretary. W. 
Heim located. Ordained elders — G. Ramige, F. Danner, J. 
KREAMERand J. Kehr. Deacon — J. Dareich. Newly received 
— J. C. Farnsworth, G. C. Schmidt, Theobald Schneider, W. 
L. Reber, J. Raus and Frederick Scharf. Died during the 
year — Charles Hesser. W. Mintz and M. Lehn were elected 



CCNFEBENCE RECORDS. 267 

presiding elders. A mission was located in Lancaster, Pa. The 
work in New York was divided into two presiding elder districts. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, H. Fisher, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia Station, M. F. Maize ; Monroe Circuit, 
G. T. Haines; Milford, W. L. Reber, J. Kreamer and G. C. 
Schmidt; Lehigh, C. Hesserand J. C. Farnsworth; Womelsdorf, 
D. Berger and F. Scharf; Germantown Mission, J. M. Saylor; 
New York Mission, Christian Hummel. 

IL Canaan District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Lancaster 
Circuit, Jacob Saylor, T. Steck and S. Miesse; Lebanon, F. 
Danner and S. Neitz ; Orwigsburg Station, J. Sensel ; Pine Grove 
Station, F. Hoffman ; Pottsville Station, H. Bucks ; Lykens Cir- 
cuit, J. C. Reissner and C. HoU ; Schuylkill Haven Station, 
Christian Meyers. 

HI. Mohawk District (N. Y), W. Mintz, presiding elder. 
Mohawk Circuit, D. Fisher and T. Schneider; Jefferson, M. Sind- 
linger ; Danville, J. Dareich ; Lake, F. Krecker and H. Sauer. 

IV. Niagara District (N. Y.), M. Lehn, presiding elder. 
Buffalo Circuit, G. Ramige; Buffalo Station, Jacob Riegel ; Black 
Creek Circuit, J. Kehr; Waterloo, M. Eis and J. Raus. 

1843* West Pa. Conference, near Carlisle, Pa., April 5. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Charles Hammer, secretary. 
Jacob Heiss located. Newly received — George Cupp, Uriah 
Eberhart and John Hanshaw. Ordained elders — H.Rohland, ^ 
Moses Bower and D. N. Long. Deacons — Levi Eberhart, 
John Brickley, Simon McLehn, Aaron Wolf, Joseph Truby, 
James Dunlap, John Edgar, Daniel Eckert, Samuel Strohm. 

Appointments : I. Zion District, Adam Ettinger, presiding 
elder. York Circuit, H. Thomas and P. Heiss ; York Mission, 
George Brickley; Gettysburg Circuit, M. Bower; Perry, James 
Dunlap ; Cumberland, J. Boas and Frederick Miller ; Washing- 
ton (Md.), George Dellinger; Virginia, D. N. Long; Baltimore 
Station, C. Hammer; Baltimore County Mission, Moses McLehn. 

II. Salem District, P.Wagoner, presiding elder. Union Cir- 
cuit, H. Rohland and J. Barber; Columbia, George Schaeffer 
and George Weirick; Centre, J. M. Sindlinger and A. Wolf; 
Lycoming, Alexander Longsdorf and Benjamin Epply. 

III. Carmel District, Daniel Kehr, presiding elder. Bedford, 
Circuit, J. Edgar and D. Sill ; Indiana, J. Brickly ; Somerset, 
Simon McLehn and Uriah Eberhart ; Clarion, Joseph Truby and 



268 EVANQBLIGAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

David Rishel; Warren, Jacob Rank; Pittsburg Mission, Levi 
Eberhart. 

1843. Ohio Conference, Thompson township, Seneca county, 
O., May lo. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, 
secretary. Located — P. Wiest. Newly received — C. Kable, 
G. F. Spreng, G. Haley, J. G. Miller, A. Nicolai, C. Glaus, 
Conrad Kauffman and J. McQuilling. Ordained elders — C. 
Augenstein, S. Heiss, Abraham Niebel and John Hall. 
Deacons — Jacob Kemmerling, C. Lintner, J. Nicolai and 
Jacob Hartman. 

Appointments : I. Tabor District. Joseph Long, presiding 
elder. Erie Circuit, Samuel Heiss and P. Becker; Harmony, 
A. Niebel; Columbianna, J. Hall and George F. Spreng; Canton, 
Nicholas Gehr and F. R. Tobias. 

II. Mohickan District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Bris- 
tol Circuit, George Mattinger and J. Bernhart; Lake, E. Stoever; 
Wayne, P. Getz and C. Glaus ; Cleveland Mission, Henry Heiss ; 
Mansfield Circuit, Adam Hennig and C. Kable. 

HI. Sandusky District, Jacob Frey, presiding elder. Pick- 
away Circuit, C. Augenstein and George Haley; Marion, H. 
Niebel and Henry Hassler ; Lancaster, H. Longbrake and Joseph 
Boyer; Crawford, Lewis Einsel and D. Wonder; Sandusky, John 
Lutz and J. McQuilling. 

IV. Indiana District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. White 
Water Circuit, J. Nicolai and Peter Hahn ; Miami, A. Yambert 
and F. Mayer; Dayton Mission, A. B. Schaeffer; Fort Wayne 
Mission, Daniel Kern and G. A. Blank; Mt. C,armel Mission, 
C. Lintner and A. Nicolai. 

V. Illinois District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Des Plains Circuit, C. Kopp ; Rock River, Levi Heiss and J. G. 
Miller; Chicago Mission, F. Wahl; Milwaukee Mission (Wis.), 
Matthias Hauert. 



CHAPTER VIII 



Eighth General Conference, Held at Greensburg, O., 
Oct. 23, 1843. 

1843. General Conference, eighth session. This was the 
iirst General Conference composed of regularly elected delegates. 
It convened at Greensburg, O., Oct. 23, and continued eleven 
days. A large volume of business was transacted, of which the 
following is a summary: 

Suitable business rules were adopted. Recommendations from 
the annual conferences regarding changes in the Discipline were 
<:onsidered and acted upon. The salary of a single preacher, 
which had been fixed at ;^6o, was raised to $100, and that of 
married men from 1^105 to $200, with $2$ additional for every 
child under fourteen years of age, besides a reasonable allowance 
for traveling expenses. The salary of the officials at the Book 
Establishment was increased $50 each. The conference appointed 
W. W. Orwig to prepare a catechism for the use of the society, 
and revise for a new edition of Miller*s * * Practical Christianity. " 
The two German hymn books were ordered to be combined into 
one, to be called Evangelische Gesangbuch (Evangelical hymn 
l)ook) . The sub j ect of a denominational history was again revived, 
and John Dreisbach was appointed to write the same. John 
Seybert was re-elected and Joseph Long newly elected bishop. 
J. C. Reisner was elected book agent and Adam Ettinger editor 
of the Chrisiliche Botschafier. A committee consisting of the 
bishops and secretary was instructed to express the views of 
the conference on the subject of education. A committee was 
appointed to prepare a plan of study for the ministers. The for- 
mer anti-English policy of the General Conference was reversed, 
the English element encouraged, and an English Conference was 
permitted to be formed as soon as ten preachers desire it, and it 



270 EVANOBLWAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

is deemed advisable. The Discipline was ordered to be published 
in English and an English periodical to be published bi-monthly 
as soon as practicable. The western portion of the Ohio Con- 
ference was constituted the Illinois Conference. **The annual 
conferences, it was resolved, shall for the future be independent 
of each other with regard to the support of the preachers. Thus 
far, all the preachers of the different conferences had received 
the same salary, as in former years the conference that had col- 
lected the largest contributions had to assist those which had 
fallen short, and in the years immediately preceding this confer- 
ence these short-coming conferences had drawn the most from 
the Chartered Fund and the proceeds of the Book Establishment. 
But after this each conference had, in this respect, to take care 
of itself." (Orwig. ) N. Callender and William Nast, of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, appeared as fraternal delegates 
from that body to convey the greetings of their brethren, and 
delivered addresses for the purpose of drawing the bonds of fel- 
lowship more closely between the two churches. 

The total membership of the Church was 13,070, viz.: East 
Pa. Conference, 4,372; West Pa., 4,508; Ohio, 4,190. Total 
number of elders, 76. Assets of the book establishment, $27,- 

733- MJ4. 

Following are the names of the delegates : East Pa. Confer- 
ence — J. P. Leib, W. MiNTz, J. C. Reisner, J. M. Saylor, H. 
Fisher, M. Lehn, Charles Hesser, F. Hoffman, M. F. Maize 
and H. Bucks; alternates, Jacob Saylor, D. Berger and J. 
Reigel. West Pa. Conference— W. W. Orwig, P. Wagoner, 
A. Ettinger, D. Kehr, Charles Hammer, George Brickly, 
J. Boas, S. G. Miller and Henry Rohland;^ alternates, J. M. 
Sindlinger, M. Bower and H. Thomas. Ohio Conference — 
John Dreisbach, Joseph Long, Samuel Baumgardner, J. J. 
Kopp, H. Niebel, J. G. Zinzer, A. B. Schaeffer, Jacob Frey, 
A. Kleinfelter, Elias Stoever, H. Longbrake, Lewis Einsel, 
Aaron Yambert and George Mattinger ; alternates, Abraham 
Niebel, H. Hassler and P. Getz. 

This was a year of general progress. In the East Pa. Con- 
ference the New York City Mission prospered, and J. M. Saylor 
met with good success in Germantown and vicinity. Pittsburg 
Mission, under the care of Levi Eberhart, succeeded well, and 
a class was organized which numbered thirty-two members at the 
close of the year. The missions in the far West succeeded very 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 271 

well, and resulted in a glorious harvest of souls. A church was 
built in Naperville, 111. , which was the second of the Association in 
that State ; and also one in Chicago, which was the first German 
Protestant church in that city. A church edifice was commenced 
near Milwaukee, Wis., said to have been the first German Protest- 
ant church in the State. 

1844. East Pa. Conference, Orwigsburg, Pa., Feb. 28. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; F. Banner, secretary. Located — 
H. Sauer and C. Holl. Newly received — Martin Lauer, 
Abraham Shultz, J. Bush, John Eckert, S. Spohn, Daniel 
Wieand and J. G. Marquardt. Ordained elders — C. Meyers 
and S. Neitz. Deacons — J. C. Farnsworth, T. Steck and D. 
K. MiESSE. Elected presiding elder — H. Bucks. The confer- 
ence paid a bill of |8 incurred by an accident to a team used by 
the conference delegates to the last General Conference.* 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, H. Fisher, presiding 
elder. Philadelphia Station, D. Berger ; Germantown Mission, 
F. Krecker ; Milford Circuit, J. C. Farnsworth and W. L. Reber ; 
Lehigh, F. Hoffman; Northampton, C. Hummel and G. C. 
Schmidt ; Monroe, G. T. Haines ; Womelsdorf, F. Danner and 
F. Scharf; Reading Mission, J. M. Saylor; New York City Mis- 
sion, M. F. Maize. 

n. Harrisburg District, H. Bucks, presiding elder. Lan- 
caster Circuit, J. Sensel and Abraham Schultz; Lebanon, Solomon 
Neitz and J. G. Bush ; Dauphin, Jacob Saylor and T. Steck ; 
Lykens, J. Kreamer and E. Bast ; Pottsville Station, William 
Heim ; Schuylkill Haven Station, C. Meyers ; Orwigsburg Cir- 
cuit, J. P. Leib. 

IIL Mohawk District, William Mintz, presiding elder. Mo- 
hawk Circuit, S. Miesse and M. Sindlinger ; Jefferson, M. Eis ; 
Lake, G. Ramige and J. Raus ; Syracuse Mission, J. Riegel. 

IV. Niagara District, M. Lehn, presiding elder. Dansville 
Circuit, J. Dareich ; Buffalo, D. Fisher ; Buffalo Station, J. 
Burkett; Black Creek Circuit, T. Schneider; Waterloo, Jacob 
Kehr and M. Lauer. 

1844. West Pa. Conference, Millheim, Pa., March 13. 
Opened by Bishop Seybert with religious exercises, after which 

*NoTE. — The delegates were H. Fisher, C. Hesser, M. F. Maize and J. 
M. Saylor. They occupied a two-horse carriage, and were on their way to 
Greensburg,0. An accident occurred to them near Trevorton, by which Hesser 
sustained fatal injuries. (See biography. ) 



272 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Bishop Joseph Long took the chair and named George Brickly 
as secretary. Newly received — Emanuel Kohr, Wm. Reeser, 
Benjamin Hess, Elias Stambach, Conrad Link and Noah 
ScHLOSSER. Ordination text of Bishop Long, I. Tim. iv. i6. 
George Weirich, David Rishel and Daniel Sill were ordained 
deacons. Charles Hammer and Alexander Longsdorf were 
elected presiding elders. Potomac District was formed. 

Appointments : I. Baltimore District, Charles Hammer, pre- 
siding elder. Baltimore, George Brickly; Baltimore Circuit, 
Joseph Dick; Gettysburg, J. Boas and E. Kohr; Washington 
(Md.), D. N. Long; York Station, W. W. Orwig ; York Circuit, 
George Schaeifer and M. McLehn ; Cumberland, M. Bower and 
Levi Hummelsheim. 

II. Susquehanna District, P.Wagoner, presiding elder. Clin- 
ton Circuit, J. M. Sindlinger; Union, J. Barber and C. Link; 
Columbia, H. Rohland and George Weirick ; Lycoming, B. Epply 
and W. Reeser; Centre, A. Wolf and Benjamin Hess; Perry, J. 
Dunlap and George Dellinger; Loyalsock, H. Thomas. 

III. Potomac District, Daniel Kehr, presiding elder. Pitts- 
burg Mission, Levi Eberhart ; Bedford Circuit, J. Edgar and E. 
Stambach; Westmoreland, Uriah Eberhart; Somerset, D. Rishel 
and P. Heiss ; Virginia, J. Shimp and N. Schlosser. 

IV. Allegheny District, Alexander Longsdorf, presiding elder. 
Indiana Circuit, Daniel Sill and George Cupp ; Clarion, Jacob 
Rank and S. McLehn ; Warren, Joseph Truby. 

1844. Ohio Conference, Wayne county, O., May 8. Bishop 
Joseph Long, president; H. Niebel, secretary. Located — H. 
Niebel, L. Einsel, H. Heiss, S. Heiss, George Haley and 
F. Spreng. Newly received — C. Haldeman, George Platz, 
F. Frech, S. Tobias, William Kolb and George Kaag. Bishop 
Long's ordination text, I. Tim. iv. i6. Ordained elders — F. 
Wahl, Adam Hennig, Levi Heiss and D. Kern. Deacons — 
George A. Blank, J. Bernhart, N. Gehr, C. Kopp, Peter 
Hahn, F. Mayer and Daniel Wonder. 

Appointments : I. Columbianna District, Elias Stoever, pre- 
siding elder. Erie Circuit, Peter Hahn ; Greenville, Peter Getz; 
Harmony, George Mattinger ; Columbianna, P. Wiest and F. R. 
Tobias; Canton, Abraham Niebel and C. Haldeman; Bristol, 
J. Lutz and Adam Hennig, 

II. Mohickon District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Wayne 
Circuit, J. J. Kopp and J. K. Bayer ; Mansfield, E. Sichley and 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 273 

F. Freeh ; Lake, J. Bernhart and C. Kabel ; Cleveland Mission, 
Nicholas Gehr; Sandusky Circuit, Daniel Kern and George Kaag. 
III. Scioto District, Jacob Frey, presiding elder. Crawford 
Circuit, Jacob Kleinfelter and Daniel Wonder ; Lancaster, Henry 
Hassler and Matthias Ruf; Pickaway, Frederick Wahl and John 
Nicolai; Miami, Aaron Yambert and Peter Becker; Marion, H. 
Longbrake; Dayton Mission, John Hall; Chillicothe Mission, 
Levi Heiss. 

1844 — Illiliois Coilfereiice. At the General Conference 
of 1843 the Illinois Conference was ordered to be formed, being 
the fourth conference of the Association. At the following ses- 
sion of the Ohio Conference at Lafayette, O., May 8, 1844, the 
organization was effected, and consisted of two presiding elder 
districts, the Indiana and the Illinois. This conference occupied 
an immense territory, stretching across Illinois into Indiana and 
Wisconsin, about 500 miles long and 400 wide. It started with 
fourten itinerants, nine charges, 763 members, five churches and 
five Sunday-schools. Entrance was gained this year in many 
new places, and the foundations laid for flourishing congrega- 
tions. In the annual report of the missionary society of the 
Ohio Conference Chicago is denominated the **key" to our work 
in the West, a designation which has been amply justified by the 
rapid grotwh of our churches in that, metropolis of the West. 

Appointments : I. Indiana District, A. B. Schaeffer, presid- 
ing elder ; White Water Circuit, Frederick Moyer ; Fort Wayne, 
George A. Blank and Simon Tobias; Mt. Carmel Mission, 
Andrew Nicolai and George Platz. 

II. Illinois District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder ; 
Des Plains Circuit, Christian Lintner; Rock River, C. Klaus 
and William Kolb ; Chicago Mission, C. Augenstein ; Milwau- 
kee, Mission, Wis. , Matthias Hauert ; Peoria Mission, C. Kopp ; 
Galena Mission, John G. Miller. 

This was a very successful year. In the East Pa. Conference 
Northampton and Dauphin Circuits were formed. The Reading 
Mission did well, and a church was built. Success crowned 
Syracuse (N. Y.) Mission, where a church was erected. The 
West Pa. Conference formed Westmoreland Circuit, West of the 
Allegheny Mountains, and Loyalsock Circuit, near Williamsport. 
Potomac district was constituted. The Illinois Conference 
prospered ; very successful meetings were held in Chicago and 



274 E VANOELIGAL A880GIA TIOJST ANNALS. 

in Milwaukee, Wis. M, Hauert, established the Evangelical 
work in Racine Wis., and J. G. Miller, of Galena Mission, 
extended the work into Iowa. Membership at the close of the 
year, 14,918; an increase of 1,010. 

1845* East Pa. Conference, Philadelphia, Feb. 26. Bishop 
Joseph Long, president; William Mintz, secretary. Jacob 
Saylor, located. Daniel Focht (local) died during the year. 
Newly received — Reuben Deisher and C. Yeakel. Ordained 
elders — Jacob Dareich and Samuel Miesse. Deacons — W. 
L. Reber, G. C. Schmidt, F. Scharf, Theobald Schneider, 
E. Bast, and D. W. Krissinger. A mission was located in 
Albany, N. Y. 

The Book Committee was instructed to have English and 
German marriage certificates printed. The ministers were in- 
structed to organize auxiliary missionary societies at each ap- 
pointment. 

Appointments: I. Philadelphia District, H, Fisher, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia Station, D, Berger ; Germantown Cir- 
cuit, C. Meyers and C. Eckert; Lehigh, F. Hoffman; Milford, 
J. Farnsworth and G. C. Smith; Monroe, C. Hummel, North- 
ampton, E. Bast and A. Shultz; Womelsdorf, F. Danner and 
T. Steck; Reading Mission, Joseph M. Saylor; New York City 
Mission M. F. Maize. 

n. Harrisburg District, H. Bucks, presiding elder. Dau- 
phin Circuit, F. Krecker; Lancaster, W. L. Reber and C. Holl; 
Lebanon, J. P. Leib and D. Wieand; Lykens, J. Kraemer 
and M. Sindlinger; Mahantongo, J. Sensel; Schuylkill, G. T. 
Hames and F. Scharf ; Pottsville, William Heim. 

IIL Mohawk District, (N. Y.) W. Mintz, presiding eldel". 
Jefferson Circuit, M. Eis ; Mohawk, S. Miesse and M. Lauer ; 
Syracuse Mission, Jacob Riegel ; Lake Circuit, G. Ramige and 
J. Burkett ; Albany Mission, J. G. Marquardt. 

IV. Niagara District, M. Lehn, presiding elder. Dansville 
Circuit, T. Schneider; Buffalo, D. Fisher; Buffalo Station, 
S. Neitz; Black Creek Circuit, (Can.) J. Dareich; Waterloo, 
J. Kehr and J. G. Bosch. 

1845. West Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 12. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; Charles Hammer, secretary. Ordained 
Elders — Aaron Wolf, J. Dunlap, Levi Eberhart, Simon Mc- 
Lehn and Joseph Truby. Deacons — P. Heiss, U. Eberhart 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 275 

and Levi Hummelsheim. Located — Jacob Shimp and M. Mc- 
Lehn. Newly received — J. L. W. Seybert and William Plan- 
ETT. Benjamin Epply took credentials for the Illinois Conference. 

Appointments : I. Baltimore District, C. Hammer, presiding 
elder. Baltimore Station, Jacob Boas; York Circuit, George 
Shaifner and J. C. Link ; Cumberland, M. Bower and George 
Weirick ; Gettysburg, J. A. Jacobs and L. Hummelsheim ; 
Washington (Md.) D. N. Long; Strassburgh, George Brickly; 
York Station, W. W. Orwig. 

II. Susquehanna District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. 
Union Circuit, David Rishel and Joseph Dick; Centre, H. 
Rohland and E. Stambach ; Clinton, J. M. Sindlinger ; Lycom- 
ing, P. Heiss and Benjamin Hess ; Columbia, James Dunlap ; 
Buffalo, James Barber and W. Reeser; Loyalsock, H. Thomas; 
Perry, George Dellinger, and E. Kohr. 

HI. Potomac District, Daniel Kehr, presiding elder ; Bed- 
ford Circuit, S. McLehn and Jacob Bower ; Somerset, J. Edgar 
and J. C. W. Seybert; Westmoreland, U. Eberhart and J. C. 
Fulton ; Virginia, N. Schlosser and W. Planett ; Pittsburg Mis- 
sion, A. Wolf. 

IV. Allegheny District, AUexander Longsdorf, presiding 
elder. Indiana Circuit, Daniel Sill and G. J. Frey; Clarion, 
Jacob Rank and George Cupp ; Venango, Levi Eberhart ; War- 
ren, Joseph Truby. 

1845* Ohio Conference, Fairfield county, O., May 14. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; H. Niebel, secretary. Newly 
received — G. Behner, Jacob Honecker, G. Doll, H. Born, 

C. A. MuNK and H. Paul. Located — E. Sichley, C. Kabel, 

D. Wonder, C. Haldeman, A. Hennig and H. Longbrake. 
Ordained elders — J. Nicolai and E. Sichley. Deacons — F. R. 
Tobias, P. B. Becker, Daniel Schwartz and David Wolf. 

Appointments : I. Columbianna District, E. Stoever, presid- 
ing elder. Erie Circuit, P. Wiest; Greenville, Abraham Niebel; 
Harmony, P. W. Hahn; Liverpool, H. Hassler; Columbianna, 
P. Swilley and J. Honecker; Cleveland Mission, N. Gehr; Can- 
ton Circuit, J. Lutz and G. F. Spreng ; Bristol, J. Hall and 
George Doll. 

II. Mohickon District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit, H. Niebel;* Wayne, George Mattinger and H. Paul; 
Maumee Mission, Daniel Kern ; Mansfield Circuit, Jacob Klein- 
felterand F. R. Tobias; Ann Arbor Mission, G. Kaag; Wyandott 



276 EVNGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Circuit, J. J. Kopp and Matthias Ruf; Sandusky, Levi Heiss 
and G. F. Behner. 

III. Scioto District, Jacob Frey, presiding elder. Marion 
Circuit, Aaron Yambert and F. Freeh ; Lancaster, J. Bernhart 
and P. B. Becker; Pickaway, Abraham Behner and P. Getz; 
Miami, J. Nicolai and George Haley; Dayton Mission, Fred- 
erick Mayer. 

1845. Illinois Conference, Des Plains, 111., June ii. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, secretary. John Jacob 
EsHER was newly received. C. Lintner was ordained elder and 
C. Glaus, J. G. Miller, A. Nicolai and Jacob Trometer, dea- 
cons. Single salary, $72.24. The preachers contributed all in 
excess of $60, or $12.24 each, to the missionary cause. 

Appointments : I. Indiana District, A. B. Schaeffer, pre- 
siding elder. White Water Circuit, C. Augenstein ; Elkhart, G. 
G. Platz and William Kolb ; Mt. Carmel, S. Tobias and William 
Bretch ; St. Mary's Mission, C. Glaus ; Du Bois Mission, Jacob 
Trometer. 

II. Illinois District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Peoria Circuit, C. Lintner ; Dubuque Mission, M. Hauert ; Rock 
River Circuit, Benjamin Epply and J. J. Esher; Des Plains, G. 
A. Blank ; Chicago Mission, C. Kopp ; Winnebago Mission (la. ), 
J. G. Miller; Milwaukee Mission (Wis.), A. Nicolai, 

Although many hundred conversions took place this year, 
still the net increase was comparatively small. This year the 
famous discussion in the Botschafter on the subject of a learned 
ministry began, with an article from the pen of John Dreisbach, 
entitled, ** Teachers and Preachers Should Not Be Ignorant." 

At its last session the Illinois Conference divided Galena 
Mission into three fields of labor. The appointments west of the 
Mississippi River, in Iowa, were called Dubuque Mission, and 
those in Wisconsin Winnebago Mission, and the rest were attached 
to Rock River Circuit. Total membership of the Church, 15,015. 

1846. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Feb. 
25. Bishop J. Seybert, president; F. Danner, secretary, G. 
C. Schmidt located, and Jacob Burkett removed to the Ohio 
Conference. Ordained elders — J. Burkett, J. C. Farnsworth 
and D. Fisher. Deacons — M. Lauer, A. Shultz, J. G. Bosch, 
J. Eckert and J. G. Marquardt. Newly received — F. Dot- 
terer, John Koehl, Jacob Gross and P. Miller. H. Fisher 
was re-elected and J. M. Saylor newly elected presiding elders. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 277 

A new district was formed called Orwigsburg. The preach- 
ers in charge were instructed to be prepared to report at the 
next annual conference the number of Sunday-schools, teachers, 
scholars and volumes in library on their fields of labor. The 
first Monday after Whitsuntide was set apart as a day of fasting 
and prayer for the conference. 

Appointments: I. Philadelphia District, J. M. Saylor, pre- 
siding elder. Philadelphia Station, F. Hoffman ; Germantown 
Circuit, J. C. Farnsworth and D. Wieand; Lehigh, J. Kraemer; 
Northampton, E. Bast and F. Dotterer ; Milford, C. Holl and 
J. Koehl ; New York Mission, C. Meyers. 

II. Lebanon District, H. Bucks, presiding elder. Lebanon 
Circuit, G. T. Haines and M. Lauer; Lancaster, F. Danner 
and M. Sindlinger; Dauphin, T. Steck; Womelsdorf, A. Shultz; 
Reading Mission, D. Berger; Lancaster Mission, W. L. Reber. 

III. Orwigsburg District, H. Fisher, presiding elder. Schuyl- 
kill Circuit, M. F. Maize and R. Deisher ; Lykens, J. Sensel and 
F. Scharf, Mahantongo, J. G. Bosch; Pottsville Station, J. P. 
Leib ; Pine Grove, F. Krecker ; Carbon Circuit, C. Hummel. 

IV. Mohawk District (N. Y.) W. Mintz, presiding elder. 
Jefferson Circuit, J. Kehr; Mohawk, M. Eis and J. Eckert; 
Syracuse Mission, Samuel Miesse ; Lake Circuit, J. Reigel and 
P. Miller; Albany, J. G. Marquardt. 

V. Niagara District, M. Lehn, presiding elder. Dansville 
Circuit, G. Ramige ; Buffalo, T. Schneider ; Buffalo Station, S. 
Neitz ; Black Creek, J. Dareich ; Waterloo Circuit, D. Fisher 
and Jacob Gross. 

1846. West Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., March i8. 
P. Wagoner, president//-^ Urn. (Bishop Seibert arrived later) 
J. Boas, secretary. Located — G. Shaffer, J. E. Fulton, N. 
ScHLOSSER, J. Bower, H. Thomas, A. Wolf and J. Edgar. 
Newly received — M. J. Carothers, L. D. Brown, S. Wolf, 
J. B. Cox, C. Miller, S. W. Seibert, Abram Young, Charles 
Lindeman and D. Kramer. Ordained elders — G. Weirick and 

D. RisHEL. Deacons — J. C. Link, George Cupp, E. Kohr, 

E. Stambach, N. Schlosser, B. Hess and P. Smith. J. Truby 
removed to the Ohio Conference. Moses Bower was elected 
presiding elder. 

Appointments: I. Baltimore District, Philip Wagoner, pre- 
siding elder. Baltimore Station, W. W. Orwig; York Circuit, 



278 E VANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

George Brickly and E. Stambach ; York Station, J. Boas; Get- 
tysburg Circuit, L. Hummelsheira and J. B. Cox ; Washington, 
Circuit, George Weirich ; Cumberland, U. Eberhart and Jere- 
miah Young ; Strassburg, George Bellinger. 

I. Susquehanna District, C. Hammer, presiding elder. Clin- 
ton, Circuit, D. Kehr; Union, D. Rishel and Benjamin Hess; 
Centre, J. M. Sindlinger and Joseph Dick; Lycoming, L. Eber- 
hart and Abraham Young; Buffalo, J. Barber and D. Kramer; 
Columbia, J. Dunlap, S. Wolf and S. W. Seibert; Perry, E. 
Kohr and W. Reeser. 

III. Potomac District, M. Bower, presiding elder. Bedford 
Circuit, J. L. W. Seibert and M. J. Carothers; Westmoreland, 
D. N. Long ; Somerset, P. Heiss and L. D. Brown ; Virginia, 
G. Cupp and C. Miller. 

IV. Allegheny District, Alexander Longsdorf, presiding elder. 
Indiana Circuit, J. Rank and W. Planett. Pittsburg Mission, 
H. Rohland; Clarion Circuit, D. Sill and C. Lindeman; War- 
ren, J. C. Link; Venango Circuit, S. McLehn and George J. 
Foy. 

1846. Ohio Conference, Thompson township, Seneca county, 
O., May 13. Bishop Joseph Long, president; H. Niebel, sec- 
retary. Located — Jacob Kleinfelter, F. Mayer, Jacob Frey 
and D. Kern. N. Gehr went to the Illinois Conference. Or- 
dained elders — J. Bernhart, N. Gehr, P.W. Hahn. Deacons — 
George F. Spreng, George Haley, George KAAGand F. Frech. 
Newly received — Josiah Kanaga and Abraham E. Dreisbach. 

Appointments: I. Columbianna District, E. Stoever, pre- 
siding elder. Harmony Circuit, J. Lutz ; Erie, Philip Swilley ; 
Greenville, Abraham Niebel; Columbianna, P.W. Hahn and C. 
Kabel; Canton, P. Wiest and J. Nicolai; Bristol, H. Hassler 
and J. Honecker ; Cleveland Mission, Joseph Truby. 

II. Mohickon District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Wayne 
Circuit, F. Frech and G. F. Behner; Sandusky Mission, H. 
Niebel; Sandusky Circuit, J. Bernhart and George Doll; Lake, 
G. F. Spreng; Wyandott, A.Yambert and C. Munk; Ann Arbor 
Mission (Mich.), George Kaag. 

III. Scioto District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Mansfield 
Circuit, John Hall and J. Kanaga; Marion, Abraham Loehner; 
Lancaster, P. Getz and A. E. Dreisbach; Miami, George Haley; 
Pickaway, Levi Heiss and F. R. Tobias ; Dayton Mission, Jacob 
Burkett. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 279 

1846. Illinois Conference, Germantown, Ind., June lo. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, secretary. Newly 
received — Samuel Dickover and William Ficht. Ordained 
elder — G. A. Blank. Deacons — G. G. Platz, William Kolp, 
S. Tobias and George Klepfer. 

Appointments : I. Indiana District, A. B. SchaeiiEer, presid- 
ing elder. Elkhart Circuit, C. Glaus and W. Ficht ; White Water, 
George Platz ; Dubois, P. Bretch ; Mt. Carmel, J. G. Miller and 
Jacob Trometer; St. Mary's Mission, William Kolb. 

II. Illinois District, S. Baumgardner, presiding elder. Des 
Plains Circuit, C. Kopp and Samuel Dickover; Peoria, Simon 
Tobias ; Cedar Creek, C. Lintner ; Chicago Mission, C. Augen- 
stein; Iowa Mission (la.), J. J. Esher; Madison Mission (Wis.), 
Benjamin Epply; Racine Mission (Wis.), George A. Blank; 
Milwaukee Mission (Wis.), N. Gehr. 

1847. East Pa. Conference, Evangelical Church, four miles 
west of Seneca Falls, N. Y., Feb. 23. Bishop Joseph Long, 
president ; F. Hoffman, secretary. Located — Philip Miller. 
Superannuated — J. P. Leib. Newly received — L. Jacoby, J. 
Wagoner, C. Loos, J. Adams, S. Gaumer and Joseph Gross. 
Ordained elders — E. Bast, F. Scharf, T. Schneider and W. L. 
Reber. Deacons — D. Wieand and Joseph Gross. Canada 
District was formed. A stringent anti-secret society resolution 
was adopted, and recommended to the coming General Confer- 
ence. William Mintz and M. Lehn were re-elected and Jacob 
RiEGEL newly elected presiding elders. Twelve delegates and 
three alternates w^ere elected to attend the coming General 
Conference. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, J. M. Saylor, pre- 
siding elder. New York City Mission, C. Meyers; Philadelphia 
Station, F. Hoffman; Germantown Circuit, E. Bast and S. Gau- 
mer; Northampton, J. C. Farnsworth and Joseph Gross; Lehigh, 
J. Kramer and D. Wieand ; Milford, C. HoU and C. Loos. 

II. Lebanon District, H. Bucks, presiding elder. Lebanon 
Circuit, C. Hummel and R. Deisher; Reading, D. Berger; Lan- 
caster, F. Danner and J. Koehl; Lancaster Mission, J. Eckert; 
Womelsdorf Circuit, A. Shultz and M. Sindlinger. 

III. Orwigsburg District, H. Fisher, presiding elder. Orwigs- 
burg Circuit, W. L. Reber; Schuylkill, M. F. Maize; Pottsville 
Station, S. Neitz ; Lykens Circuit, J. Sensel and W. Heim ; Pine 
Grove, G. T. Haines and J. Adams ; Carbon, F. Krecker. 



280 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

IV. Albany District (N. Y.), Jacob Riegel, presiding elder. 
Albany Mission, M.Lauer; Mohawk Circuit, G. Ramige and Jacob 
Gross; Jefferson, J. Kehr; Syracuse Station, J. G. Marquardt. 

V. Buffalo District (N.Y), W. Mintz, presiding elder. Buf- 
falo Station, M. Eis; Buffalo Circuit, F. Scharf and J.Wagoner; 
Dansville, J. Dareich ; Lake, S. Miesse and L. Jacoby. 

VI. Canada District (Canada), Michael Lehn, presiding 
elder. Black Creek Circuit, J. G. Bosch; Waterloo, D. Fisher; 
Home, T. Schneider. 

1847. West Pa. Conference, Evangelical Church, North 
Middleton township, Cumberland county. Pa. , March 1 7. Bishop 
Long, president; C. Hammer, secretary. Located — George 
Brickly, S. W. Seibert, George Cupp and W. Reeser. Newly 
received — ^J. Kreamer, Levi Kelly, B. Hengst, W. B. Gregg, 
John Bolton, Elijah Wilson, Adam Darby, John McCartney 
and AziMA Vallerchamp. Ordained elders— L, Hummelsheim, 
P. Heiss, Daniel Sill, U. Eberhart and John Edgar. Dea- 
cons — J. L. W. Seibert, Joseph Dick, G. F. Foy, Wm. Reeser, 
J. M. Young and Azima Vallerchamp. Moses Bower, presid- 
ing elder of Potomac District, and Abraham Young died during 
the year. Jacob Boas was elected presiding elder. An anti- 
secret society resolution was adopted. Delegates were elected 
for the coming General Conference. 

Appointments : I. Baltimore District, J. Boas, presiding 
elder. Baltimore Station, W. W. Orwig ; York Circuit, E. Stam- 
bach and D. Kreamer; York Station, L. Eberhart; Gettysburg 
Circuit, S. McLehn and J. M.Young; Cumberland, James Dunlap; 
Franklin, U. Eberhart and W. B. Gregg; Strassburgh, George 
Dellinger; Virginia, D. N. Long and Charles Miller. 

II. Susquehanna District, Charles Hammer, presiding elder. 
Union Circuit, H. Rohland and J. Kreamer; Clinton, D. Kehr; 
Centre, George Weirick and B. Hengst ; Lycoming, P. Heiss 
and Charles Lindeman; Buffalo, J. M. Sindlinger and B. Hess; 
Columbia, E. Kohr and J. Bolton; Perry, L. Hummelsheim and 
S. Wolf; Mahantongo, J. Barber; Cherry, Joseph Dick; Luzerne 
Mission, Azima Vallerchamp. 

III. Somerset District, P.Wagoner, presiding elder. Bedford 
Circuit, J. L.W. Seibert and Adam Darby; Somerset, J. Rank, M. 
J. Carothersand L. D. Brown; Pittsburg Mission, David Rishel. 

IV. Allegheny District, Alex. Longsdorf, presiding elder. 
Indiana Circuit, J. Edgar and L. Kelly; Clarion, Daniel Sill 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 281 

and supply ; Venango, George Foy and J. McCartney ; Warren, 
J. C. Link. 

1847. Ohio Conference, Evangelical Church, at Manches- 
ter, O., May 12. Bishop J. Seybert, president; J. G. Zinzer, 
secretary. Located — P. Schwilly, C. Kabel, George Mat- 
TiNGER and P. Hahn. Re-entered the active ministry — H. 
Longbrake, L. Einsel, D. Kern, H. Westhafer and Jacob 
Heiss. Newly received — C. Koch, John Honnecker, Reuben 
RiEGEL, Isaiah Miller, J. G.Wolpert and C. Smith. Ordained 
elder — Abraham Loehner. Deacons — G. F. Behner, C. A. 
Munk, C. Kabel, Jacob Honecker, H. McBride and Jacob 
Willeman. E. Stoever and J. G. Zinzer were re-elected and 
H. Longbrake was newly elected presiding elder. Fourteen 
delegates and three alternates were elected for the coming Gen- 
eral Conference. 

Appointments : I. Columbianna District, H. Longbrake, 
presiding elder. Canton Circuit, J. Bernhart and J. Honnecker; 
Erie Mission, Jacob Burkett; Columbianna, Abraham Niebel 
and C. G. Koch ; Harmony, P. Wiest ; Erie, Joseph Truby and 
Isaiah Miller. 

II. Mohickon District, E. Stoever, presiding elder. Bristol 
Circuit, F. R. Tobias and R. Riegel ; Wayne, J. Lutz and George 
Doll; Mansfield, A. Loehner and A. E. Dreisbach; Marion, G. 
Behner and C. Schmidt; Liverpool, J. Hall; Coshockton, H. 
Hassler; Cleveland Mission, N. Gehr. 

III. Sandusky District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit, G. F. Spreng; Wyandott, G. Haley and D. Kern; San- 
dusky, A. Yambert and H. Westhafer; Sandusky City Mission, 
George Kaag; Miami Mission, J. Nicolai; Ann Arbor (Mich.), 
Jacob Honnecker; St. Joseph Mission, C. Munk. 

IV. Scioto District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Pickaway 
Circuit, F. Freeh and J. Kanaga; Lancaster, L. Einsel and J. 
G. Wolpert; Miami, P. Getz; Dayton Mission, L. Heiss. 

1847. Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., June 9. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; C. Kopp, secretary. Located — Jacob 
Trometer. Newly received — F. Weithaupt, H. Eiterman, 
George Messner and H. Weldy. Ordained elders — C. Kopp, 
C. Glaus, J. G. Miller and S. Tobias. Deacons — J. J. Esher, 
P. B retch, C. Ebinger and Samuel Rickert. Samuel Baum- 
GARDNER was re-elccted and C. Kopp newly elected presiding 



282 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

elder. Seven delegates and three alternates were elected to attend 
the coming General Conference. 

Appointments : I. Indiana District, A. B. Schaeffer, presid- 
ing elder. White Water Circuit, C. Glaus ; Elkhart, G. G. Platz, 
F. Weithaupt and H. Weldy ; Dubois, A. Nicolai ; Mt. Carmel, 
W. F. Ficht; De Kalb Mission, P. Bretch; St. Mary's Mission, 
S. Dickover. 

II. Peoria District, C. Kopp, presiding elder. Sandusky 
Circuit, Simon Tobias ', Centre Creek, Jacob Kemmerling; Wash- 
ington, William Kolb and H. Eiterraan ; Galena, Benjamin Epply; 
Iowa Mission, J. J. Esher. 

III. Madison District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Racine Circuit, C. Lintner; Chicago Station, G. A. Blank; Des 
Plains Circuit, C. Augenstein and George Messner; Jefferson 
Mission, M. Hauert; Milwaukee Mission, J. G. Miller. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Ninth General Conference, Held at New Berlin, Pa., 
Sept. 29, 1847. 

1847. General Conference, ninth session, New Berlin, Pa., 
Sept. 29. Both bishops and forty-five delegates were present. 

Recommendations from the annual conferences were consid- 
ered. On motion of J. Boas it was resolved that it shall be the 
duty of class leaders to hold class meetings, at least every four 
weeks, in their respective classes. On recommendation of the 
West Pa. Conference it was resolved that hereafter any conference 
may keep the money from the various fields of labor indepeadent 
of each other. The former committee appointed to combine the 
two German hymn books into one was excused for the non- 
performance of their work, and it was resolved that the Saitenspiel 
and Viole shall remain separate books, and a new and improved 
edition of each be published. An anti-secret society resolution 
was discussed at length, but not adopted, because not brought 
before that body in accordance with the. Discipline. A resolu- 
tion offered by John Dreisbach was adopted, to the effect that 
a seminary shall be established for the Church, provided the 
members of the Church favor it. All preachers in charge shall, 
during the coming year, bring the matter before the various 
societies, and a vote shall be taken on the same. In case the 
result is favorable, each conference shall elect a director for the 
purpose of carrying out the project.* The work in New York 
(New York City excepted) and Canada was constituted New 
York Conference. The Evangelical Messenger was ordered to 
be published as soon as 800 subscribers are secured. Nich- 
olas Gehr, of the Ohio Conference, was elected editor of the 

*The vote resulted "against " the school. 



284 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

Boischafter, with William Bersch as assistant. Henry Fisher^ 
of the East Pa. Conference, was elected book agent. The salary 
of the editor and publisher was fixed at ^225 per annum, with an 
addition of ^^15 for every child under fourteen years of age. 
Bishops J. Seybert and Joseph Long were re-elected. A reso- 
lution was passed directing preachers in charge to establish 
Sunday-schools wherever practicable. On motion of John Dreis- 
BACH it was resolved that any conference had the privilege granted 
of organizing an English conference as soon as twenty English 
members desired it, and that such conferences should draw their 
share of the proceeds of the Charitable Society and book estab- 
lishment equal to the other conferences. The assets of the book 
establishmentwere ^24, 795,47^; indebtedness, none. Preachers^ 
319; members, 14,871. 

Following are the names of the delegates : East Pa. Confer- 
ence — W.MiNTZ, H. Bucks, H. Fisher, Jacob Reigel, M. Lehn^ 
J. M. Saylor, F. Danner, F. Hoffman, J. Kehr, M. Eis, D. 
Fisher and J. P. Leib ; alternates, C. Hummel, F. Krecker and 
J. Kreamer. West Pa. Conference — P.Wagoner, C. Hammer,. 
A. Ettinger, W. W. Orwig, J. Boas, George Brickly, J. C. 
Reisner, James Dunlap, J. M. Sindlinger, Alexander Longs- 
DORF, H. Rohland and D. N. Long ; alternates, J. Barber, U.. 
Eberhart and D. Kehr. Ohio Conference — J. G. Zinzer, E. 
Stoever, J. J. Kopp, Abraham Niebel, L. Einsel, A. Yambert^ 
J. Erb, a. Kleinfelter, John Dreisbach, Abraham Loehner,. 
J. Bernhart and P. Wiest; alternates, J. Nicolai, J. Hall and 
J. Burkett. Illinois Conference — S. Baumgardner, A. B. 

SCHAEFFER, C. KOPP, C. AUGENSTEIN, G. A. BlANK, C. LiNTNER 

and J. G. Miller ; alternates, M. Hauert, S. Tobias, C. Glaus. 

The subject of secret or oath-bound societies had agitated 
the Church for a number of years, and the prevailing sentiment 
was strongly against them. Both the East and West Pa. Confer- 
ences passed resolutions of disapproval of such societies, and the 
matter was brought before the General Conference for action- 
After much discussion an anti-secret society resolution prevailed. 
After its passage, however, questions of expediency and consti- 
tutionality led to its reconsideration. 

The work of the Church advanced encouragingly this year. 
In Ohio a new district called Sandusky was formed. St. Joseph, 
Mich., was made a mission. In Illinois Peoria and Madison 
Districts were formed, the latter situated mostly in Wisconsin. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 285 

1848. EastPa.Conference,Allentown, Pa.,Feb. 23. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; F. Danner, secretary. Located — J. 
Kreamer, C. Holl, Samuel Miesse, G. Ramige and Jacob 
RiEGEL. Died — Charles Bisse and Emanuel Dieder. F. 
Hoffman and J. P. Leib were elected presiding elders. Ordained 
elders— J. G. Bosch, J. Eckert, A. Shultz, J. G. Marquardt, 
and M. Lauer. Deacons — J. Koehl, S. Gaumer, Jacob Gross 
and J. Adams. Newly received — N. McLehn, John Schell, D. 
Hambright and I. Hess. 

A committee was appointed to prepare rules for making the 
salaries of the preachers independent of each other. Following 
is a summary: (i) The annual appointment of a committee to 
investigate the claims of superannuated preachers and preachers* 
widows and orphans, and apportion their claims from the inter- 
est of the Custer fund and Charitable Society. (2) When two 
preachers serve together they shall divide the salary according 
to their disciplinary claims, the surplus, if any, to be paid the 
presiding elder. (3) The presiding elder shall have all the col- 
lections taken at the quarterly meetings, and one-half of the 
•camp-meeting collections. (4) If he receives more than the 
average amount of salary received by preachers on his district 
entitled to the highest salary, he shall pay the surplus into the 
conference fund. (5) The bishop shall take up collections at 
all his appointments. If he receives more than his allowance, 
he shall pay the surplus into the conference fund. He shall 
make up his deficits the same way as the presiding elders. (6) The 
balance in the conference treasury shall be used to make up defi- 
ciencies in salary. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, F. HofEman, presid- 
ing elder. Philadelphia Station, S. Neitz ; Germantown Circuit, 
D. Wieand and J. Schell ; Northampton, M. Sindlinger and I. 
Hess ; Lehigh, H. Bucks and M. McLehn ; New York Station, 
D. Berger ; Milford Circuit, J. C. Reisner and C. Loos. 

II. Lebanon District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Lebanon 
Circuit, C. Hummel and R. Deisher ; Lancaster, A. Shultz and 
D. Hambright ; Lancaster Mission, F. Danner ; Womelsdorf Cir- 
cuit, C. Meyers and Joseph Gross; Reading Station, W. Heim; 
Dauphin Circuit, J. Sensel. 

III. Orwigsburg District, J. M. Saylor, presiding elder. 
Orwigsburg Circuit, G. T. Haines ; Schuylkill, E. Bast ; Potts- 
ville Station, M. F. Maize; Carbon Circuit, F. Krecker; Pine 



286 EVANQELIGAL A8S0CJA TION ANNALS. 

Grove, J. Famsworth and J. Adams ; Lykens, W. L. Reber and 
J. Koehl. 

New York Conference. I. Buffalo District, W. Mintz, pre- 
siding elder. Buffalo Circuit, F. Scharf and L. Jacoby; Buffalo 
Station, M. Eis ; Lake Circuit, D. Fisher and S. Gaumer ; Dans- 
ville, not supplied. 

II. Mohawk District, Jacob Kehr, presiding elder. Mohawk 
Circuit, J. G. Bosch ; Jefferson, J. Dareich ; Syracuse Station, 
J. G. Marquardt; Albany Mission, M. Lauer. 

III. Canada District, M. Lehn, presiding elder. Black Creek 
Circuit, Jacob Gross ; Waterloo, T. Schneider and J. Wagoner ; 
Home, to be supplied. 

1848. West Pa. Conference, Milheim, Pa., March 15. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; W. W. Orwig, secretary. Located — 
George Cupp, Benjamin Hess and A. Darby. David Rishel, 
missionary at Pittsburg, died during the year. Newly received — 
Abraham Kraus, Michael Zulauf, George Hunter and Jacob 
Weikel. Ordained elders — J. C. Link, E. Kohr and B. Hess. 
Deacons — S. Wolf, C. Lindeman, M. J. Carothers, L. D. 
Brown, C. Miller, John McCartney and John Bolton. Geo. 
Weirick was elected presiding elder. A committee was appointed 
to formulate rules for making the districts and all the charges 
independent of each other in their finances. The organization 
of an English conference was deferred. A new mission was 
located in Baltimore. 

Appointments : I. Baltimore District, J. Boas, presiding 
elder. Baltimore Station, Charles Hammer; York Circuit, H. 
Rohland and D. Kreamer; York Station, L. Eberhart; Gettys- 
burg Circuit, J. M. Young and L. Kelly; Franklin, G. Foy and 
supply ; Cumberland, J. Dunlap and P. Heiss ; Virginia, W. B. 
Gregg and George Hunter ; Strassburgh, U. Eberhart ; Baltimore 
Mission, W. W. Orwig. 

II. Susquehanna District, Philip Wagoner, presiding elder. 
Union Circuit, D. Kehr and J. Barber; Centre, E. Stambach and 
B. Hengst ; Clinton, Charles Lindeman and J. Kreamer ; Lycom- 
ing, A. Longsdorf; Buffalo, J. M. Sindlinger and M. Zulauf; 
Columbia, E. Kohr and A. Vallerchamp ; Tuscarora Mission, 
L. Hummelsheim; Muncy, J. Bolton and A. Kraus; Perry, M. 
J. Carothers and S. McLehn. 

III. Allegheny District, George Weirick, presiding elder. 
Bedford Circuit, S. Wolf and C. Miller ; Somerset, J. Rank and 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 287 

J. L. W. Seibert ; Clarion, George Dellinger and L. D. Brown ; 
Indiana, J. D. McCartney; Venango, Joseph Dick and Jacob 
Weikel ; Warren, J. Edgar ; Pittsburg Mission, J. C. Link. 

1848. Ohio Conference, Milton, O., May lo. Bishop J. 
Long, president; J.G, Zinzer, secretary. Located — L. Einsel. 
Superannuated — H. Niebel. Newly received — Peter Pontius. 
Again received — D. Swartz, Joseph Ebert, J. G. Stirm and 
J. McQuiLLEN. Ordained elders — F. Frech, G. F. Spreng, 
George Kaag and George Haley. Deacons — Josiah Kanaga, 
George Doll, A. E. Dreisbach and W. Bernhart. J. J. Kopp 
resigned the office of presiding elder and Abraham Niebel was 
newly elected. Died during the year — Isaiah Miller, James 
Steel and Conrad Herr. 

Appointments : I. Columbianna District, Abraham Niebel, 
presiding elder. Harmony Circuit, Joseph Truby ; Canton, J. J. 
Kopp and H.Westhafer; Greenville, J. Bernhart ; Columbianna, 
C. G. Koch and P. Pontius; Erie, Jacob Burkitt. 

II. Mohickon District, E. Stoever, presiding elder. Cleve- 
land Mission, A. Nicolai ; Bristol Circuit, P. Wiest and Joseph 
Ebert; Wayne, D. Swartz and R. Riegel; Mansfield, A. Loehner 
and Charles Smith ; Liverpool, John Hall ; Marion, A. E. Dreis- 
bach and J. Honnecker ; Coshockton, J. Lutz. 

III. Sandusky District, H. Longbrake, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit, G. F. Behner; Wyandott, G. Haley and J. McQuillen; 
Sandusky City Station, George Kaag; Sandusky Circuit, A. 
Yambertand G. Stirm ; Maumee, C. Munk ; Ann Arbor Mission, 
Jacob Honnecker; St. Joseph Mission, George Doll. 

IV. Scioto District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Pickaway 
Circuit, Josiah Kanaga and J. G. Wolpert; Lancaster, F. Frech 
and D. Kern; Miami, P. Getz; Dayton Mission, G. F. Spreng. 

1848* Illinois Conference, Emanuel's Church, Cook county, . 
111., June 14. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, 
secretary. Located — Jacob Kemmerling and William Fight. 
C. HoLL, Joseph Harlacher, Jacob Heiss and F. D. Loy were 
received into the conference. Newly received — B. Uphaus, 
Henry Esch, J. Riegel, G. Esher and H. Ragatz. Ordained 
elders — G. G. Platz, S. Tobias and William Kolb. Deacon — 
Samuel Dickover. A. B. Schaeffer was re-elected and C. 
Augenstein newly elected presiding elder. Indiana District was 
divided and formed into St. Joseph and Wabash Districts. A 



288 EVNGELIGAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS, 

vote of thanks was tendered Bishop Long for the gift of ten 
grammars for the use of the conference. 

Appointments : I. Wabash District, A. B. Schaeffer, presid- 
ing elder. White Water Circuit, George A. Blank ; Dubois, A. 
Nicolai and H. Esch ; Mt. Carmel, C. Glaus ; Vandalia, to be 
supplied. 

II. St. Joseph District, C. Augenstein, presiding elder. St. 
Mary's Mission, F. Weithaupt ; Elkhart Circuit, S. Dickover and 
B. Uphaus; DeKalb Mission, H. Eiterman. 

III. Peoria District, C. Kopp, presiding elder. Hampton 
Circuit, C. Lintner; Washington, W. Kolb and J. Riegel; Iowa 
Mission, Benjamin Epply; Cedar Creek Circuit, S. Tobias and 
George Messner. 

IV. Madison District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Des Plains Circuit, C. Holl, H. Welty and Henry Ragatz ; Racine, 
Philip Bretch and George Esher; Chicago Station, G. G. Platz; 
Milwaukee Mission, J. J. Esher ; West Bend Mission, Joseph 
Harlacher ; Jefferson Mission, J. G. Miller ; Sauk Mission, M. 
Hauert. 

The great event of this year was the appearance of the long- 
looked-for English paper, The Evangelecal Messenger. The first 
number was sent out Jan. 8, 1848, and created great enthusiasm 
among the English-speaking people of the Church. An abiding 
proof of its timely and welcome appearance is furnished by a 
perusal of the paper itself. Even the old German fathers, some 
of them companions of Albright, ** brushed up'* their English, 
and made their appearance in the Messenger as correspondents. 
We give the following extracts from the correspondence of '* One- 
simus" in the fourth and fifth numbers : 

*VThe Messenger has paid us its first visit, and has in our 
region received a cordial welcome. From the character of its 
name we had reason to expect a plain-dealing, Gospel teacher, 
and we have not as yet been disappointed. We look for intelli- 
gence, the most useful, important and interesting, at each suc- 
cessive visitation. It is our best friend, as it tells us of our 
faults, teaches us how to reform and points out to us the advantage 
of such a course. * * * The Messenger will undoubtedly be 
the unflinching advocate of true Evangelical preaching — Christ 
and Him crucified, repentance toward God, faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and deep, practical piety. * * * We expect the 
Messenger will at proper times and in proper places oppose the 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 389 

corruptions of the age in which we live. * * * We trust that 
no organization, deleterious to the true interests of the Gospel, 
will receive any sanction from this periodical; but that the 
unfruitful works of darkness will be reproved, and the light of 
the Gospel of Jesus Christ allowed to shine in every comer of the 
land, and to every department of society, as a guide to the young, 
an instructor of the ignorant, and a help to the benighted and 
wayward traveler." 

1849. East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa. , March 7 . Bishop 
J. Long, president ; F. Banner, secretary. S. Neitz received 
permission to rest one year. J. Schnerr died during the session. 
M. SiNDLiNGER and D. Wieand were ordained elders, and C. 
Loos, deacon. Licensed to preach — Frederick L. Stoever, 
H. Kletzinger and George Knerr. Harrisburg and Tamaqua 
were constituted missions. 

Appointments : I. Philadelphia District, F. Hoffman, pre- 
siding elder. Philadelphia Station, C. Hummel; Germantown 
Circuit, F. Krecker and F. L. Stoever ; Milford, W. L. Reber 
and N. McLehn; Lehigh, H. Bucks and J. Eckert; Northamp- 
ton, D. Wieand and I. Hess ; New York City, C. Loos. 

n. Lebanon District, J. P. Leib, presiding elder. Lebanon 
Circuit, W. Heim and J. Adams ; Lancaster, Joseph Gross and 
J. Schell; Lancaster Mission, D. Berger; Womelsdorf Circuit, 
J. Sensel and F. Danner ; Chester, D. Hambright ; Reading Sta- 
tion, C. Meyers ; Harrisburg Mission, J. C. Farnsworth. 

IIL Orwigsburg District, J. M. Saylor, presiding elder. 
Orwigsburg Circuit, G. T. Haines; Schuylkill, E. Bast; Potts- 
ville Station, M. F. Maize ; Carbon Circuit, M. Sindlinger; Pine 
Grove, to be supplied ; Lykens, J. Koehl and S.Gaumer ; Mahan- 
tongo, A. Shultz and Jacob Gross ; Tamaqua Mission, D. Shultz. 
1849. West Pa. Conference, Loganville, Pa., March 14. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; W. W. Orwig, secretary. Received 
into the itinerancy — A. Wolf, D. N. Long, J. McKesson, Wm. 
Bressler and J. Bishop. Ordained elders — J. M. Young, A. 
Vallerchamp, E. Stambach and Joseph Dick. Deacons — D. 
Kreamer, J. Kreamer, W. B. Gregg, L. D. Brown and B. 
Hengst. George Weirick resigned the office of presiding elder 
and the following were elected : P. Wagoner, A. Longsdorf, 
J. DuNLAP and U. Eberhart. Two new presiding elder districts 
(Centre and Somerset) were formed. A committee was appointed 
to devise a plan for the formation of a Sunday-school union, and 



290 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

report at the next annual session, for the purpose of bringing the 
matter before the next General Conference. 

Appointments : I. Baltimore District, J. Boas, presiding 
elder. Baltimore Station, C. Hammer; Baltimore Mission, W. 
W. Orwig ; Strassburgh Circuit, J. L. W. Seibert and P. Heiss ; 
York, George Weirick ; York Station, H. Rohland ; Cumberland 
Circuit, L. Eberhart ; Gettysburg, D. Kreamer and George Hun- 
ter; Franklin, G. J. Foy and Levi Kelly. 

II. Susquehanna District, James Dunlap, presiding elder. 
Cherry Circuit, A. Vallerchamp ; Buffalo, E. Kohr and Benjamin 
Hengst ; Perry, M. J. Carothers and J. Kreamer ; Columbia, J. 
M. Young, W. Bressler and John McKesson. 

III. Centre District, P. Wagoner, presiding elder. Centre 
Circuit, D. Kehr and C. Lindeman ; Clinton, E. Stambach ; 
Union, A. Wolf and Michael Zulauf ; Lycoming, J. M. Sindlinger 
and Simon Wolf. 

IV. Allegheny District, A. Longsdorf, presiding elder. Pitts- 
burg Mission, J. C. Link; Clarion Circuit, G. Dellinger and 
Jacob Weikel; Venango, G. Cupp and L. D. Brown; Warren, 
Joseph Dick. 

V. Somerset District, U. Eberhart, presiding elder. Somer- 
set Circuit, D. Sill and J. Bolton ; Indiana, Jacob Rank ; Bedford, 
D. N. Long and J. Bishop; Shenandoah (Va.), W. B. Gregg; 
Morgan (Va.), Charles Miller. 

1849, Ohio Conference, EmanuePs Church, Walnut town- 
ship, Pickaway county, O. , May 1 6. Bishop J. Seybert, president ; 
J. G. ZiNZER, secretary. Located — Joseph Truby, D. Kern and 
H. Westhafer. Received into the itinerancy — J. G. Kissel, 
H. Downy, C. Haldeman, Daniel Brickly, George Schott, 
Philip Swartz and Jacob Fisher. Ordained elders — Jacob 
Honnecker and G. Behner. Deacons — C. G. Koch, John 
Honnecker, J. G. Wolpert, Reuben Riegel and John Rade- 
bach. E. Stoever resigned the office of presiding elder, and J. 
J. Kopp was elected. Peter Getz went to the Illinois Conference. 
A committee was appointed to devise a plan for making salaries 
independent of each other, and report at the next annual session. 

Appointments : I. Columbianna District, Abraham Niebel, 
presiding elder. Columbianna Circuit, J. Bernhart and R. Riegel ; 
Erie, J. Nicolai ; Greenville, J. Burkett ; Harmony, Jacob Hon- 
necker; Canton, Abraham Loehner and Jacob Fisher. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 291 

II. Mohickon District, J. J. Kopp, presiding elder. Bristol 
Circuit, P. Wiest and J. G. Kissel ; Wayne, Daniel Brickly and 
George Schott; Mansfield, A. Yambert and Philip Swartz; Liv- 
erpool, J. Lutz; Cleveland Mission, C. G. Koch. 

III. Sandusky District, H.Longbrake, presiding elder. Lake 
Circuit, G. Behner; Wyandott, G. Kaag and J. G. Stirm; San- 
dusky, George Haley and C. Smith ; Maumee, C. Munk ; Sandusky 
City Station, J. Hall ; Ann Arbor Mission, J. Honnecker ; St. 
Joseph Mission, George Doll. 

IV. Scioto District, J. G. Zinzer, presiding elder. Lancaster 
Circuit, J. Kanaga and C. Haldeman ; Pickaway, A. E. Dreisbach 
and H. Downy; Miami, J. G. Wolpert; Dayton Mission, G. 
F. Spreng. 

1849. Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., June 20. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. J. P. Kramer, 
of the East Pa., and P. Getz, of the Ohio Conference, were re- 
ceived into this conference, and Jacob Keiser and C. A. Schnake 
were newly received. J. G. Miller and Philip Bretch, located. 
Ordained elders — J. J. Esher, A. Nicolai and Philip Bretch. 
Deacons — George Messner, H. Eiterman, F.Weithaupt and 
H. Weldy. Christian Augenstein resigned the office of pre- 
siding elder, and St. Joseph District was discontinued. Peoria, 
Galena and Sheboygan Missions were formed. 

Appointments: I. Wabash District^ A. B. Schaffer, presid- 
ing elder. White Water Circuit, Henry Ragatz; Dubois Mis- 
sion, Ch. Glaus and J. Keiser; Mt. Carmel Circuit, S. Dickover; 
Elkhart, G. G. Platz, G. Messner and B. Uphaus; Marshall, 
A. Nicolai ; St. Mary's Mission, P. Getz ; De Kalb, F.Weithaupt. 

II. Peoria District, Ch. Kopp, presiding elder. Washington 
Circuit, H. Eiterman ; Florid, M. Hauert and H. Weldy ; Cedar 
Creek, G. A. Blank and H. Esch; Peoria Mission, Ch. Augen- 
stein; Galena, J. P. Kramer; Iowa, to be supplied. 

III. Madison District, Samuel Baumgardner, presiding elder. 
Naperville Circuit, S. A. Tobias and C. A. Schnake ; Des Plaines, 
John Riegel; Chicago, Ch. HoU ; Racine, Benjamin Epply and 
George Esher; Sauk Mission, Ch. Lintner; Jefferson, William 
Kolb; Sheboygan, Joseph Harlacher; Milwaukee, J. J. Esher. 

1849. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., April 25. 
Bishop Joseph Long, prerident; W. Mintz, secretary. Received 
into the itinerancy — William Schmidt, Solomon Weber, Frantz 
Herlan and Philip Miller. Ordained deacons — Jacob Wag- 



293 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

ONER, Levi Jacoby, Solomon Weber, Jacob Bastian, Henry 
Sauer and Franz Herlan. Membership, 1,837. Single salary, 
^62.52. 

Appointments: I. Albany District, Jocob Kehr, presiding 
elder. Albany Mission, Jacob Wagoner ; Syracuse Station, M. 
Lauer ; Mohawk Circuit, John Bosch. 

II. Buffalo District, Wm. Mintz, presiding elder. Buffalo, 
D. Fisher; Buffalo Circuit, M. Eis and Philip Miller; Lake, 
Levi Jacoby; Dansville, F. Herlan; Rochester Mission, J. G. 
Marquardt. 

III. Canada District, Michael Lehn, presiding elder. Water- 
loo Circuit, Theobald Schneider and William Schmidt; Black 
Creek, F. Scharf ; Home, Solomon Weber. 

THIRD PERIOD. 

The year 1850 marks the semi-centennial of the Evangelical 
Association, and it would be strange indeed if the Church did 
not in some way demonstrate her appreciation of such an event. 
We accordingly find her all aglow with sentiments and projects 
befitting the consummation of such an interesting event, and her 
literature of this year not only voices sentiments of gratitude to 
God for his mercy and superintending care over her during the 
first half century of her existence, but also tells of her noble 
achievements in the various lines of Christian activity, her ample 
justification of her existence, and her worthiness to take her 
place among the denominations of the world as a factor in the 
evangelization of the human race. 

In the first issues of the German and English periodicals of 
the Church for this year, the editors review the remarkable de- 
velopment of the society from her beginning, and offer sugges- 
tions as to the most appropriate way of giving expression to her 
gratitude for the prosperity that has marked her history. We 
give the following extract from an editorial in the Evangelical 
Messenger^ of Jan. 8th, as sounding the keynote for the future of 
the Church: 

*' Considering the unassuming and apparently /<?^^/<? instru- 
ment employed in establishing this branch of the Christian 
Church, the small and unpromising beginning of it, together with 
the opposition, contempt, and reproach it had to endure, espe- 
cially during the first half of its existence, no unprejudiced 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 293 

Christian can justly accuse us of arrogance and undue enthu- 
siasm, if we declare the founding, extension, and prosperity of 
the Evangelical Association as the work of God, and as marvel- 
ous in our eyes, and exclaim, ^The Lord hath done great things 
for us, whereof we are glad*/ Or, if we at the close of the first 
half century of the existence of our ecclesiastical community, 
with one of the ancient servants of God, raise an Ebenezer, say- 
ing, * Hit her to hath the Lord helped us \f Have we not abundant 
cause to rejoice, and in the depth of humility to praise the Lord 
for His great mercy and faithfulness toward us, and His fatherly 
protection and guidance to the present day? What shall we 
render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward us? Let us 
take the cup of salvation, and proclaim the glory, and the name 
of the Lord, and pay our vows to Him in the presence of all His 
people ! 

**0h ! how great our obligations to Him ! Should we not at 
this important era of our Church, bring an especial thank-offerings 
and celebrate o^ jubilee to the Most High — our, and our father's 
God and helper ! This appears to us to be the duty of the mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Association, who have lived to see the 
close of its first half century, to evince their obligation to Him, 
and their grateful acknowledgement of His gracious providence, 
guidance and protection, by a practical matter-of-fact monu- 
ment, through the observance of a general thanksgiving day at a 
suitable time during the year, and the offering of especial gifts 
and contributions, for the advancement of God^s kingdom, as 
well as through a united effort for a general revival oi the Church, 
the enlargement of its borders, and for a closer union by the 
bond of Christian love. 

''The present period of the Evangelical Association appears 
to us particularly suitable for commencing foreign missions, and 
other important enterprises, calculated to promote the honor and 
cause of God. No doubt, all faithful and in the welfare of the 
Church interested laQmhQTs, would take an active part in the cele- 
bration of such a jubilee, and appear with liberal hearts, and 
with hands richly filled before the Lord, and bring Him an ac- 
ceptable and well pleasing thank-offering. What a glorious and 
advantageous result might we not expect from such a jubilee! 
The Association would not only acquire more firmness, and in- 
fluence thereby, but probably on the whole a more general and 
enlarged participation in the cause of God." 



294 EVANOELIGAL AS80G1A TION ANNALS. 

To these noble sentiments the Church responded most heart- 
ily, not in words alone, but in deeds that shall live coeval with 
her history. 

The celebration of the semi-centennial of the existence of the 
Evangelical Association was commemorated along several lines, 
first as a memorial, in remembrance of her founder, Jacob Al- 
bright. Hence the jubilee was fixed on the day on which he 
started out as an independent evangelist, of which the bishops 
gave official notice in the periodicals, as follows : 

*' Whereas we the undersigned, as superintendents of the 
Evangelical Association, have been requested by the East and 
West Pa. Conferences to appoint a thanksgiving day for the pro- 
posed jubilee; and, whereas, we do fully concur with the recom- 
mendation of observing such a festival ; therefore we appoint for 
said purpose, Thursday, the 17th of October next, and recom- 
mend the observance of it to all societies and members of our 
whole Church union, with the hope and confidence and inmost 
desire that it may prove a blessed and joyful day for all." 

John Seybert, 
Joseph Long. 

New Berlin^ March ^j, 18^0. 

In addition to this memorial day, there was projected by the 
East Pa. Conference, a memorial church, to be erected at the 
grave of Jacob Albright, at Klinefeltersville, Pa. This church 
was dedicated with great solemnity, Oct. 13. Rev. J. M. Saylor 
read the dedicatory formula, and Rev. J. P. Leib preached the 
sermon from Haggai ii. 9. Henry Fisher, chief book steward, 
preached in the afternoon from Psalm xciii. 5, and J. C. Farns- 
worth in the evening from I. Peter v. 4. 

The educational interests of the Church were somewhat re- 
vived, and the West Pa. Conference appointed a committe to 
devise plans for the establishment of an academy. This project 
however did not develop as successfully as some others of the 
jubilee year. 

By far the most important interest developed at this time was 
the undertaking oi foreign missions. With remarkable unanimity 
— as though preconcerted — the various annual conferences ap- 
proved and agreed to support the plan projected by the East Pa. 
Conference for the establishment of a mission in Germany. 
Without any delay or hesitation, plans were matured and funds 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 295 

collected, and in November the first missionary, Rev. J. C. Link, 
was on his way to preach Evangelical truth in the Fatherland. 

1850. East Pa. Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 27. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Fred. Banner, secretary. M. 
F. Maize and John Eckert received permission to rest a year. 
D. Berger and C. Loos, located. F. L. Stoever died. A. 
Ziegenfus was licensed to preach. H. Bisse, A. Ziegenfus, 
Geo. Knerr and R. Deisher were received into the itinerancy. 
F. Banner was elected presiding elder. '*H. Bucks, C. Hum- 
mel and F. Krecker were appointed a committee to prepare 
resolutions with reference to the establishment of a mission in 
Germany. " A resolution relative to the erection of a memorial 
church at the grave of the founder of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion was adopted. 

A recommendation to the next General Conference was adopt- 
ed — to introduce a probationary system in the Church for new 
members. 

Bistricts : Philadelphia, F. Hoffman, presiding elder ; Leba- 
non, F. Banner; Orwigsburg, J. P. Leib. 

1850. West Pa. Conference, New Columbia, Pa., March 
13. Bishop Joseph Long, president; Charles Hammer, sec- 
retary. Memorial services were held in memory of George 
Weirick and John Bishop, deceased. Baniel Berger was 
received from the East Pa. Conference. Received into the itin- 
erancy — L. May, C. Beininger, B. Hall, A. Stahley, Isaac 
Leas, J. E. Langer, S. Kring, A. Kraus, W. H. Berry and 
J. W. F. Young. Ordained elders — M. J. Carothers, Charles 
Lindeman, S. Wolf and G. J. Fov. Beacons — G. Hunter and 
J. Kaufman. J. M. Sindlinger was elected presiding elder. 
C. Miller and A. Wolf, located. H. Rohland took creden- 
tials for the Illinois Conference. A resolution for the founding 
of an institution of learning was adopted. Oct. 17th was desig- 
nated as a day of thanksgiving for the founding of the Evangel- 
ical Association. W. W. Orwig was elected editor of the Christ- 
lie he Botschafier, and H. Fisher of the Evangelical Messenger 
until the next General Conference. 

The conference concurred in the project of the East Pa., for 
the establishment of a mission in Germany. A recommendation 
to the General Conference was passed, providing for stewards to 
collect money on the various charges. 

Bistricts : Baltimore, J. Boas, presiding elder ; Susquehanna, 



296 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TIOJST ANNALS. 

J. Dunlap ; Centre, Alex. Longsdorf ; Allegheny, J. M. Sind- 
linger ; Somerset, Uriah Eberhart. 

1850. Ohio Conference, North Lima,0., May 15. Bishop 
J. Long, president; J. G. Zinzer, secretary. Located — C. 
Haldeman, George Schott, C. Schmidt; in part — Daniel 
SwARTZ and Daniel Brickly. Received into the conference — 
A. B. ScHAEFFER, Peter Hahn, Joseph Truby and J. Schnell- 
BACHER. Received into the ministry — Daniel Strohman, Jacob 
Schaffer, H. Hampe. C. Eitelman and M. Hoehn. Ordained 
elders — A. E. Dreisbach, H. Downy, J. Kanaga, George Doll 
and C. MuNK. Deacons — J. H. Stirm, C. Schmidt, J. Schnell- 
BACHER, D. Fleisher, J. G. KissEL. Resolutions favorable to 
the semi-centennial jubilee and the establishment of a German 
Mission were adopted. A plan was adopted making the charges 
independent of each other in the support of the preachers. A 
committee was appointed to examine the young preachers in 
their studies at the next annual session. 

Districts: Columbianna, A. Niebel, presiding elder; Mo- 
hickon, J. J. Kopp; Sandusky, H. Longbrake; Scioto, J. G. 
Zinzer. 

1850* Illinois Conference, Des Plains, 111. , June 1 2. Bishop 
J. Long, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. C. Glaus, located. 
A. B. Schaffer resigned the office of presiding elder and returned 
to the Ohio Conference. J. J. Kopp resigned on account of 
failing health. Newly received — Peter Bergner, J. Shaffle, 
F. Shuerman, George Fleisher, Benjamin Raudenbush, J. 
F. Wolf, A. Michael, Joseph Fisher and William Strass- 
burgher. Samuel Dickover was ordained elder, and J. H. 
RaGatz, H. Esh, J. G. Esher, J. Riegel and B. Uphouse dea- 
cons. Resolutions favorable to the proposed jubilee and German 
Mission were adopted. C. Augenstein, G. G. Platz and G. A. 
Blank were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Wabash, G. A. Blank, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
C. Augenstein; Peoria, G. G. Platz; Madison, S. Baumgardner. 

1850. New York Conference, Syracuse, N. Y., April 17. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Wm Mentz, secretary. Philip 
Miller, located. Jacob Bastian, John Schaaf, A. Z. Gott- 
WALs and John Greuzenbach were received into the itinerancy. 
William Schmidt was ordained elder and J. Schaaf deacon. 
Conference expressed itself favorable to the proposed semi- 
centennial jubilee, and the establishment of a German Mission. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 29T 

Districts : Albany, J. Kehr, presiding elder ; Buffalo, William^ 
Mintz ; Canada, M. Lehn. 

1851. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Feb. 26. 
Bishop Joseph Long, president ; F. Krecker, secretary. John 
Sensel, located. J. Young and G. L. Miller were licensed to^ 
preach. Received into the itinerancy — S. G. Rhoads, C. Ging- 
ERicH, L. Snyder, Jesse Young and N. Goebel. W. Garret 
and H. Bisse were ordained deacons. A mission was located 
in New Jersey. Germantown, Pa., was made a station. 

Districts: Philadelphia, F. Hoffman, presiding elder; Leba- 
non, F. Danner; Orwigsburg, J. P. Leib. 

1851. West Pa. Conference, Berlin, Somerset county. Pa., 
March 12. Bishop J. Long, president; L. Eberhart, secre- 
tary. Daniel Sill, located. Received into the itinerancy — A. 
Bower, J. S. Hyde, J. W. Marlin, J. G. Pfeifer, H. H. 
Buecker, W. B. Poling, J. Kaufman, A. Bender, also J. G. 
Miller, of the Illinois Conference. Ordained elders — B. 
Hengst, W. B. Gregg, J. Bolton, L. D. Brown, J. L. W. 
Seibert, Daniel Kramer, John Kramer and George Cupp. 
Deacons — M. Zulauf, J. Weikel, J. M. McKesson and W^ 
Hammer. Jacob Boas was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Baltimore, Alex. Longsdorf, presiding elder ; Sus- 
quehanna, J. Dunlap ; Centre, J. Boas ; Somerset, U. Eberhart ; 
Allegheny, J. M. Sindlinger. 

1851. Ohio Conference, West Salem, Ohio, May 14. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaffer, secretary. Located — 
J. Hall, P. Pontius, Jacob Shaffer and John Lutz. Ordained 
elders — C. G. Koch and J. G. Wolpert. Deacons — P. Swartz 
and P. Pontius. J. G. Strohm, of West Pa. Conference, was 
received into the conference. Received into the itinerancy — Wm. 
Traeger, Philip Purr, L. Sheurman, G. M. Young and John 
Erb, anew. A. B. Shaeffer was elected presiding elder. Henry 
Niebel and E. Stoever were superannuated. 

1851. Illinois Conference, Brookville, 111., June 18. Presi- 
dent, Bishop Seybert; secretary, C. A. Schnake. Benjamin 
Eppley, located. Benj. Raudenbush and Geo. Schmidt died 
during the year. Received into the itinerancy — H. Rohland, 
from the West Pa. Conference, Jacob Kemmerling and John 
Mayer. On probation — G. Franzen, J. C. Anthes and Paul 
Benker. Ordained elders — George Messner and F. Weit- 
HAUPT. Deacons — C. A. Schnake and Jacob Keiper. C. Aug- 



298 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS, 

ENSTEFN and G. G. Platz resigned the office of presiding elder ; 
and S. Baumgarder was re-elected, and J. J. Esher, S. Dickover 
and Joseph Harlacher were newly elected. 

Districts : Wabash, G. A. Blank, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
S. Dickover; Peoria, S. Baumgardner ; Wisconsin, J. J. Esher; 
Chicago, Joseph Harlacher. 

1851. New York Conference, Lyons, N. Y., April i6. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; M. Lehn, secretary. Newly received 
— P. Alles and J. Jenny. Ordained elders — S. Weber, L. 
Jacoby and Jacob Wagoner. Deacon — Philip Miller. M. 
Eis, located. 

Districts : Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder ; Buffalo, Jacob 
Kehr; Canada, W. Schmidt. 



CHAPTER X, 



Tenth General Conference, Held at Flat Rock, O., 
Sept. 17-30, 1851. 

1851. General Conference, tenth session. Flat Rock, O., 
Sept. 1 7-30. Both bishops were present. Bishop J. Long opened 
the session and appointed H. Bucks, secretary. Notice was 
given of the death of Samuel Baumgardner, of Illinois Confer- 
ence, and it was ** Resolved that the members of this conference, 
in order to attest their tender regard for the deceased, hold reg- 
ular funeral services on next Sabbath afternoon. Bishop Long 
at that time delivered a memorial sermon from Dan. xii. 3. 

It was resolved to remove the book concern to Cleveland, O., 
on certain conditions, and many changes were ordered in its' 
business. A. Vallerchamp introduced a motion for the estab- 
lishment of a Sunday-School Union, which was referred to a 
committee, whose report was not adopted. Much time was spent 
in discussing missionary projects. The action of the Board of 
Missions (appointed by the annual conferences) in sending J.C. 
Link to Germany was approved, and J. Nicolai was elected as 
an additional missionary. W. W. Orwig offered a resolution 
looking to the establishment of a heathen mission, which was 
adopted, and the matter referred to the Board of Missions. The 
Pittsburg Conference was formed of parts of the West Pa. and 
Ohio Conferences, and the Indiana Conference was formed of 
Wabash and St. Joseph Districts of the Illinois Conference. 
Bishops J. Seybert and Joseph Long were reelected. W. W. 
Orwig was elected general book agent and editor of the Boischaf- 
ter^ and J. G. Zinzer assistant editor. H. Fisher was elected 
editor of the Evangelical Messenger. 

Amendments to the Discipline were made, chiefly as follows : 
(i) The order of procedure of the annual conferences in the 



300 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

missionary cause was improved. (2) The marriage formula was 
improved. (3) Class leaders to be chosen every two years. 
(4) ''Resolved, That in all cities and places where preachers and 
societies promise themselves more benefit from a six months* 
probation, they shall be at liberty to introduce the same." (5) 
An additional paragraph on the management of foreign missions. 
(6) The introduction of a burial formula. 

The recommendation to increase the power of the bishop, 
especially in regard to restoring the transferring power, evoked 
a lengthy discussion. The matter was finally referred to a com- 
mittee of five, who submitted the following: "Resolved, That 
in case one of our bishops at any time finds it necessary to remove 
one or more preachers from one conference to another, he shall 
be authorized to do so, with the consent of the preacher con- 
cerned, and of the presiding elder having charge over him. Such 
a preacher shall then be considered a member of that conference, 
whithersoever he may have been removed, until the next session 
of the same, when it is to be decided whether he shall be retained 
as a member or not. If however that conference sees proper not 
to retain him, he shall have the right to return to his conference." 
The discussion was renewed upon the presentation of this reso- 
lution. ''Fear was expressed of episcopal power, which in some 
parts of Christendom had already become so dreadful. The 
less power in the hands of the bishop, it was thought, the more 
safe for the society in the future. "* The recommendation was 
not adopted. 

A Board of Foreign Missions was constitued, consisting of 
the secretary of the Parent Missionary Society, John Seybert, 
Henry Fisher, J. Boas and the presiding elder of Orwigsburg 
District, East Pa. Conference. 

Delegates to the General Conference of 185 1, with year of 
birth : 

Bishop J. Seybert, 1791. F. Hoffman, 1806. West Pa. Conference. 

Bishop Jos. Long, 1800. C. Hummel, 1810. 

H. Bucks, 1810. H. Fisher, 1800. 

East Pa. Conference. M. F. Maize, 1813. Philip Wagoner, 1800. 

C. Meyer, 1814. D. Kehr, 1803. 

J P. Leib, 1802. F. Krecker, 1816. A. Vallerchamp, 1803. 

Jos. M. Saylor, 1803. S. Neitz, 1821. J. M. Sindlinger, 1807. 

Fred. Banner, 1805. James Dunlap, 1809. 

* OfUcial re-port in Evan^^e/ica/ Messenger^ Oct. 22, 1851. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 



301 



C. Hammer, 1809. 
W. W. Orwig, 1810. 
Alex. Longsdorf, 1812. 

D. N. Long, 1 813. 
Jacob Boas, 1 8 15. 

E. Kohr, 1823. 

U. Eberhart, 182 1. 
Levi Eberhart, 1822. 

Ohio Conference, 

H. Niebel, 1784. 
J. Dreisbach, 1789. 
A. B. Shaefer, 1797. 
E. Stoever, 1805. 
J. J. Kopp, 1805. 



J. G. Zinzer, 1806. 
H. Longbrake, 1809. 
D. Brickley, 1809. 

F. Freeh, 1809. 

G. Haley, 1814. 
C. G. Koch, 1817. 
A. Niebel, 181 7. 

A. E. Dreisbach, l8l8. 
G. F. Behner, i8l8. 
P. W. Hahn, 1819. 
G. F. Spreng, 1823. 

New York Conference. 

Jacob Kehr, 1808. 
Jacob Reigel, 1809. 



Wm. Smith, 1809. 
Wm. Mentz, 181 1. 
D. Fisher, 1814. 

Illinois Conference. 

J. P. Kramer, 1809. 
Benj. Epply, 18 10. 
J. Harlacher, 181 2. 
H. Rohland, 1817. 
C, Augenstein, 1818. 
Wm, Kolb, 1820. 
G. A. Blank, 1822. 
S. A. Tobias, 1822. 
J. J. Esher, 1823. 
S. Dickover, 1826. 



1852. East Pa. Conference, Pine Grove, Pa., Feb. 25. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; Abraham Schultz, secretary. 
Newly received — J. L. Fritz, E. Ely, W. Rogers, A. Hinkel 
and Abraham Saylor. Received into the itinerancy — C. Loos, 
H. C. Major and Ehp. Ely. Ordained elders — N. McLean, 
I. Hess and J. Schell. Deacons — A. Ziegenfus, L. Snyder, 
George Knerr, S. G. Roads and C. Gingerich. F. Danner 
resigned the office of presiding elder, and F. Hoffman and J, P. 
Leib were re-elected, and G. T. Haines newly elected. 

Districts: Philadelphia, G. T. Haines, presiding elder; Leb- 
anon, F. Hoffman; Orwigsburg, J. P. Leib. 

1852. West Pa. Conference, Prospect, Pa., March 17. 
Bishop J. Long, president; H. Fisher, secretary. Located — 
A. Vallerchamp, D. Berger and J. Kauffman. Chas. Ham- 
mer and D. Kehr were permitted to rest one year. L. Eber- 
hart withdrew from active service. Received into the itinerancy 
— H. Kaegel, H. Althouse, E. B. Wilson, S. W. Seibert, 
H. R. Price, Jacob Young and George Hinkel. Ordained 
deacons — L. May, C. F. Deininger, Abraham Kraus, W. H. 
Berry, J. C. Lunger and Isaac Leas. The preachers were in- 
structed to organize catechetical classes wherever practicable, 
and rules governing the same were adopted. Stewards were 
•ordered to be elected on the various charges, to collect the sal- 
ary. The preachers were enjoined to be more active in organ- 
izing Sunday-schools. 

Districts : Baltimore, Alex. Longsdorf, presiding elder ; Cen- 
tre, J. Boas; Susquehanna, J. Dunlap. 



302 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1852. Pittsburg Conference held its first session in Pitts- 
burg, Pa., March 3. Bishop J. Long, president; C. G. Koch, 
secretary. Withdrawn from the Church — J.Bolton. Received 
into the itinerancy — J. Weikel, H. W. Thomas, J. M. Zirkel, 
L.W. Reichman and B. Schade. Ordained deacons — A. Bower, 
Andrew Stahley, S. B. Kring, Wm. Bressler, J. M. Zirkel, 
and H. Hampe. D. N. Long was elected presiding elder. Reso- 
lutions were adopted and a committee appointed looking to the 
establishment of an institution of learning within the bounds of 
the conference. 

Districts: Somerset, U. Eberhart, presiding elder; Allegheny, 
D. N. Long; Pittsburg, J. M. Sindlinger. 

1852* New York Conference, Berlin, Canada, April 14. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; W. Schmidt, secretary. Received 
into the itinerancy — J. G. Staebler and W. Oetzel. Ordained 
elders — F. Herlan and J. Schaaf. Deacons — A. Z. Gottwals 
and J. Grenzebach. The charges were made independent of 
each other in the matter of salary. 

Districts: Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder; Buffalo, J. 
Kehr ; Canada, W. Schmidt. 

1852. Ohio Conference, Bristol, O., May 12. Bishop J. 
Seybert, president; J. G. Wolpert, secretary. J. G. Stirm 
died during the year. Newly received — Benjamin Keller, John 
Waltz, George Theuer and J. Lutz. Ordained elders — J. 
Honecker, R. Riegel and J. Schnellbacher. Deacons — 
Christian Idleman, M. Hoehn and D. Strohman. An anti- 
secret society resolution was adopted. 

Districts : Wooster, H. Longbrake, presiding elder; Sandusky, 
J. J. Kopp; Scioto, A. B. Schaefer. 

1852. IllinoisConference, Naperville, 111., June.i6. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. S. Baumgard- 
ner, a presiding elder, died and C. Holl withdrew during the 
year. J. Mover located. C. Glaus, N. McLain, J. H. Yam- 
BERT and J. G. Esslinger were received from other conferences, 
and B. Ruh, F. Weihe and L. Buehler on probation. Ordained 
elders — B. Uphaus, John Reigel and H. Esh. Deacons — P. 
Burgner, J. Schafle, Wm. Strassberger, Geo. Fleisher and 
Joseph Fisher. G. A. Blank and Joseph Harlacher resigned 
the office of presiding elder and C. Glaus and S. A. Tobias were 
elected. Fox River, DeKalb and Evansville Missions were estab- 
lished. The Indiana Conference was formed. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 303 

Illinois Conference Districts : Peoria, Henry Rohland, pre- 
siding elder ; Wisconsin, J. J. Esher ; Chicago, S. A. Tobias. 

Indiana Conference Districts : St. Joseph, S. Dickover, pre- 
siding elder ; Wabash, C. Glaus. 

New York Conference sustained- the loss of one of its leading 
men, Jacob Riegel, who died near Seneca Falls, N. Y., aged 
forty-two years. He was born in Northampton county, Pa., and 
entered the ministry in 1834. 

1853. East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa., Feb. 23. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; H. Bucks, secretary. Retained in the itin- 
erancy without appointments — M. F. Maize, F. Danner and J. 
Adams. Died — J. Sensel. Credentials were voted JesseYoung. 
Ordained elders — C. Loos and R. Deisher. Deacons — H. C. 
Major and N. Goebel. Licensed to preach — P. V. Platz, T. 
G. Clewell, W. Yost, Z. Hornberger, S. P. Reinoehl, L. 
Kelly and H. Koester. Received into the itinerancy — D. 
Berger, Jesse Yeakel, T. G. Clewell, William Yost, S. P. 
Reinoehl, L. Kelly and F. P. Lehr. Easton was taken up as 
a mission. Lebanon was detached from the circuit and made a 
station. Monroe and Kutztown Circuits were formed. 

Districts : Philadelphia, G. J. Haines, presiding elder ; Leb- 
anon, F. Hoffman; Orwigsburg, J. P. Leib. 

1853. West Pa. Conference, Buffalo Valley, Pa., March 2. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; Chas. Hammer, secretary. Located 
— Daniel Kehr and Henry Althouse. Ordained elders — M. 
ZuLAUF and George Hunter. Deacons — A. J. Bender, E. 
Wilson, P. Graham and J. G. Bertch. W. W. Orwig resigned 
the editorship of the Botschafter and the office of book steward. 
C. G. Koch, of the Pittsburg Conference, was elected to the 
former office and C. Hammer to the latter. Hammer resigned, 
and M. F. Maize was elected. He also resigned, and Hammer 
was induced later to accept the position. C. Hammer was newly 
elected and A. Longsdorf, reelected presiding elders. 

Districts : Baltimore, A. Longsdorf, presiding elder ; Centre, 
J. Boas ; Susquehanna, C. Hammer. 

1853. Pittsburg Conference, Zion Church, Jefferson county, 
Pa., March 16. J. Seybert, president; C. G. Koch and U. 
Eberhart, secretaries. Abraham Niebel, of the Ohio Confer- 
ence, and John Pfeifer and Jacob Rosenberger were received 
into the itinerancy. J. M. McKesson and Jacob Weikel were 
ordained elders, and H. H. Bicker, W. B. Poling, J. G. Pfeifer, 



504 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

J. S. Hyde and A. Weaver, deacons. Jacob Rank was elected 
presiding elder. A German mission was located in Allegheny- 
City, and an English mission in the *' West." U. Eberhart was 
permitted to rest one year. Albright Seminary was established at 
Berlin, Somerset county. Pa. 

Districts : Somerset, D. N. Long, presiding elder ; Allegheny, 
J. Rank; Pittsburg, J.M. Sindlinger. 

1853. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., April 27. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; W. Mentz, secretary. J. D. 
Jenni and P. Alles were ordained deacons. Jacob Riegel 
died during the year. 

Districts: Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder; Buffalo, J. 
Kehr; Canada, Wm. Schmidt. 

1853* Ohio Conference, ImmanuePs Church, Pickaway 
county, Ohio, May 11. President, Bishop J. Long; secretary, 
J. G. WoLpERT. Died — H. Downy, P. Pontius and Jacob Van- 
dersal. Newly licensed — C. M. Reinhold, Philip Schatz and 
Abraham Long. Ordained elder — Philip Swartz. Deacons— 
L. Shireman, G. M, Young and Philip Porr. Elected presi - 
ing elders — G. F. Spreng and A. E. DRiESBACh. R. Reigel, 
located. Canton was made a mission. 

Districts : Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder ; Wooster, 
H. Longbrake; Sandusky, A. E. Driesbach; Scioto, A. B. Shaefer. 

1853. Illinois Conference, Racine, Wis., June 29. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; J. J. Esher, secretary. Joseph Harlacher, 
George Messner and Jacob Kemmerling, located. G. G. 
Platz joined the Indiana Conference. Received into the itin- 
erancy — L. Von Wald, Oswald Ragatz, D. S. Boyer, Israel 
Kuter, Henry Shelp, John Miller, Henry Lagenshulte 
and Conrad Pfeil, and H. Eiterman anew. Ordained elders 
— J. G. Esher and C. A. Schnake. Deacons — J. C. Anthes, 
Jacob Trumbaur and J. G. Esslinger. The southern part of 
Chicago was taken up as a mission, also Waukeesha, Wis. Iowa 
was supplied with two preachers. 

Districts : Peoria, H. Rohland, presiding elder ; Chicago, S. 
A. Tobias ; Wisconsin, J. J. Esher. 

Note. — At this session the conference appointed J. W. McKesson to estab- 
lish an English work in the West. June 28 he arrived in McDonough county, 
111. , and began his labors. He laid the foundations for the English work in 
western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Owing to ill health he did not continue the 
second year, and the Illinois Conference was asked to take charge of the work, 
owing to a scarcity of preachers in the Pittsburg Conference. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 305 

1853. Indiana Conference, first session, Germantown, Ind., 
June I. Bishop J. Long, president; A. Nicolai, secretary. 
Bishop Long was appointed to frame rules for the conference. 
Received into the itinerancy — H. Strickler, John Fuchs, J. 
RooKSTUHL, W. BocKMAN and J. M. Kronmiller, also G. G. 
Platz, of the Illinois Conference. Jacob Keiper was ordained 
elder and G. Franzen deacon. Huntington and Olney missions 
were established. It was resolved to build a meeting house at 
Evansville. 

Districts: St. Joseph, Samuel Dickover, presiding elder; 
Wabash, C. Glaus. 

Note. — The year 1853 marks a number of notable events in 
the history of the Association. Albright Seminary, at Berlin, Som- 
erset county. Pa., the first institution of learning in the connec- 
tion, was opened Aug. 8. The Board of Foreign Missions held 
its annual session at New Berlin, Sept. 24, at which time the 
subject of a heathen mission was discussed, and resolutions, look- 
ing to its establishment, were adopted. The first Evangelical 
camp-meeting in Iowa began Sept. 8, on land of Brother J. Bal- 
LiET, ten miles northwest of Muscatine. 

1854. East Pa. Conference, Pottsville, Pa. , Feb. 22. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president ; H. Bucks and F. Krecker, secretaries. 
Located — ^J. G. Marquardt, A. Schultz, H. Bucks and C. 
Hummel. G. T. Haines resigned the office of presiding elder, 
and F. Krecker was elected. H. A. Bisse died. Received on 
trial — J. O. Lehr, T. Plattenberger, R. Yeakel, H. Koester, 
Elias Miller and Moses Dissinger. Ordained elders — G. 
Knerr, a. Ziegenfus, C. Gingerich, D. Hambright and S. 
G. Rhoads. Deacons — E. Ely, J. Yeakel and J. Rhoads. 
Harrisburg was constituted a mission. Fredrick Miller, of 
Washington township, Lehigh county. Pa., died, leaving to the 
conference an estate of ;^ 14, 000, which the conference turned 
over to the Charitable Society. Ordination text — Luke xii. 42. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. P. Leib, presiding elder ; Leba- 
non, F. Krecker; Orwigsburg, F. Hoffman. 

1854. West Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March i. Bishop 
J. Long, president; C. Hammer, secretary. Henry Fisher, 
editor of the Evangelical Messenger^ died during the year. Isaac 
Leas, located. Ordained elders — B. F. Hall, L. May, J. C. 
Lunger, A. Kraus and C. F. Deininger. Deacons — H. R. 



306 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Price, Jacob Young, S. W. Seibert and N. Doebler. P. 
Wagoner was elected presiding elder, C. Hammer chief book 
agent of the establishment, and J. L. W. Seibert, editor of the 
Evangelical Messenger^ in place of H. Fisher, deceased. After 
much debating and planning it was resolved to establish at 
New Berlin, Pa., an institution of learning to be called Union. 
Seminary. 

Districts : Baltimore, P. Wagoner, presiding elder ; Centre, 
J. Boas; Susquehanna, A. Longsdorf. 

1854. Pittsburg Conference, Somerset, Pa., March 15. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; Chas. Lindeman, secretary. John 
Rosenberger died. B. Shady, A. Bower and J. M. Sind- 
LiNGER, located, the latter two going West. Received into the 
traveling connection — B. L. Miller, E. Peer, A. Long, G. W. 
Reisinger and A. T. Doll. Ordained elders — H. Hampe, A. 
Stehley, S. B. Kring, A. Bower and J. M. Zirkle. Deacons 
— L. L. Reichman, H. W. Thomas, J. Rosenberger, B. L. 
Miller, D. J. Paul and J. Hanger. Cambria andi Centreville 
Circuits were formed. The preachers were instructed to deliver 
lectures in favor of a prohibitory liquor law. Anti-tobacco res- 
olutions were adopted. 

Districts : Somerset, D. N. Long, presiding elder ; Allegheny, 
J. Rank; Pittsburg, Charles Lindeman. 

1854. New York Conference, Rochester, N. Y., April 26. 
Bishop J. Long, president; M. Lehn, secretary. John Wag- 
oner and Joseph Unbach were received into the itinerancy. 
John Grenzenbach was ordained elder, and J. G. Stabler, W. 
Oetzel and John Wagoner, deacons. A mission was estab- 
lished at Sougien, Canada. 

Districts : Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder ; Buffalo, Jacob 
Kehr; Canada, W. Schmidt. 

1854. Ohio Conference, Dayton, Ohio, May 17. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president ; G. F. Spreng, secretary. George Kaag 
and A. Loehner, located. Received into the itinerancy — Reuben 
RiEGEL, J. Strome, a. Hassenpflug, M. Miller, S. Swartz, 

C. Rohm and S. Hoy, the latter on probation. Ordained elders 
" — G. Theur, J. Waltz and B. Keller. Deacons — C. Idleman, 

D. Strohman and M. Hoehn. J. G. Zinzer was permitted to 
rest because of an affection of his eyes. Pomeroy Mission was 
established, and Sandusky and Cleveland Missions were consti- 
tuted stations. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 307 

Districts : Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder , Wooster, 
H. Longbrake; Sandusky, A. E. Dreisbach; Scioto, A. B. 
Schaeffer. 

1854. Illinois Conference, Brookville, 111. , June 28. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. Received on 
probation — Jacob Himmel and Joseph Gibens. Received into 
the itinerancy — C. Hummel, John Schneider, J. M. Sind- 
linger, Elias Musselman, C. Augenstein, L. Nauman, Jos. 
Gibens, Conrad Spielman, Jacob Himmel, J. F. Schnee and 
George Vetter. Ordained elders — ^Jacob Schaffle, George 
Fleischer, W. Strassburger and L. H. Eiterman. Deacons 
— L. BuEHLER and Elias Musselman. An independent salary 
system was adopted. H. Lageschulte and Jacob Trumbower, 
located. The work in Iowa was divided into Cedar River Cir- 
cuit and Dubuque Mission. Oshkosh Mission was divided. Kan- 
kakee Mission was established. 

Districts: Peoria, H. Rohland, presiding elder; Chicago, 
S. A. Tobias; Wisconsin, J. J. Esher. 

1854. Indiana Conference, East Germantown, Wayne 
county, Ind., May 31. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. 
Nicolai, secretary. F. Scheurman and J. Rookstuhl, located. 
Philip Bretsch, of Illinois Conference, was received into the 
itinerancy, and George Eckard on probation. Ordained elders 
— Joseph Fisher and P. Burghner. Deacons — M. W. Steffy 
and B. Run. South Bend and Newville were constituted missions. 

Districts : St. Joseph, S. Dickover, presiding elder ; Wabash, 
C. Glaus. 

Notes. — The year 1854 was one of the most eventful in the 
history of the Church. On Jan. 20 occurred the death of Rev. 
Henry Fisher, editor of the Evangelical Messenger, at New 
Berlin, Pa. He was one of the most devoted and consecrated 
of men, and his death cast a gloom over the Association. 

In the Spring of this year the book establishment was removed 
from New Berlin, Pa., to Cleveland, Ohio. 

During the early Spring a public meeting was held in the 
town hall of New Berlin, to take steps for the founding of an in- 
stitution of learning, under the auspices of the West Pa. Confer- 
ence. Resolutions were adopted, which were laid before the 
conference at its next session. After a lengthy discussion it was, 
on motion of M. J. Carothers, resolved to found such an insti- 
tution at New Berlin, to be called ** Union Seminary." Com- 



308 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TIOK ANNALS. 

mittees and collectors were appointed, and subsequently the East 
Pa. Conference united in the enterprise, and the establishment 
of that noble institution, now the oldest in the Association, was 
successfully accomplished. 

1855. East Pa. Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 28. 
Bishop J. Long, president; S. Neitz, secretary. Located — J. 
M. Saylor, I. Hess, C. Loos, A. Shultz and W. Heim. Newly 
received on trial — J. Werner, C. S. Haman, T. Sebold and W. 
Bachman ; also J. C. Reisner anew. Received into the itiner- 
ancy — J. Frey, Joseph Werner, F. Walker, C. S. Haman and 
T. Sebold. Ordained deacons — T. G. Clewell, S. P. Rein- 
OEHL, W. Yost, F. P. Lehr, P. H. Lehr, Joshua Frey, R. 
Yeakel and Adam Hinkel. Concerning the establishment of 
Union Seminary, it was *' Resolved, that we will unite in the 
project according to the constitution and offer presented, the 
seminary to be named Union Seminary of the East and West Pa, 
Conferences of the Evangelical Association. Solomon Neitz 
was appointed traveling agent for the same in the conference. 

Districts: Philadelphia, J. P. Leib, presiding elder ; Lebanon, 

F. Krecker ; Orwigsburg, F. Hoffman. 

1855. West Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 8. 
Bishop J. Long, president; Benjamin Hengst, secretary. Died 
during the year — A. Vallerchamp, C. Spangler and George 
Nailor. Peter Heiss located, and H. Keagel was dismissed 
to go West. Received into the itinerancy — D. W. Miller, H. 
Althaus, H. Broadbeck and Sebastian Mosser (anew). Or- 
dained elders — W. H. Berry and E. B. Wilson. Deacons — 

G. W. F. Young and A. L. Reeser. S. Wolf was re-elected 
agent of Union Seminary. J. Boas was elected presiding elder. 
W. W. Orwig was left without appointment because engaged in 
writing the history of the Evangelical Association. 

Districts: Baltimore, J. Boas, presiding elder; Centre, P. 
Wagoner; Susquehanna, A. Longsdorf. 

1855. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 21. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; Joseph Truby, secretary. S. Hyde 
and A. G. T. Doll located. W. B. Gregg and L. D. Brown 
withdrew from the Church. C. Bender and William Fisher 
were licensed to preach, and W. H. Stoll, W. H. Pfeuffer, W. 
J. Stattler and William Fisher were received into the itiner- 
ancy. Ordained elders — J. G. Pfeuffer and H. H. Buecker. 
Deacons — H. W. Pfeuffer and Abraham Long. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 309 

Districts : Somerset, D. N, Long, presiding elder ; Alle- 
gheny, J. Rank ; Pittsburg, Charles Lindeman. 

1855. New York Conference, Conrad Settlement, N. Y. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; M. Lauer, secretary. Jacob 
Bastian located. P. Alles was ordained elder. Geo. Hunter, 
of the West Pa. Conference, took an appointment in this confer- 
ence. The Finance Committee reported that all the preachers 
had received full salary. 

Districts : Albany, W. Mentz, presiding elder ; Buffalo, M. 
Lauer; Canada, J. Kehr. 

1855. Ohio Conference, Zion Church, Hancock county, 
O., May 1 6. Bishop J. Long, president; J. G. Wolpert and 
C. Idleman, secretaries. Died — George Kaag. Located — ^J. 
J. Kopp, P. Wiest, S. Swartz and J. Snellbacher. Received 
into the traveling connection — Michael Alsbach, Geo. Berry, 
John Stull, Henry Cover, Jacob Resler and Henry Strauch. 
Ordained elders — P. Purr, L. Shireman and G. M. Young. 
Deacons — J. P. Schnatz, C. M. Reinhold and J. Strome. It 
was resolved to establish Greensburg Seminary, and committees, 
trustees and a collector were appointed. Elias Stoever was 
chosen for collector. John Dreisbach was re-elected editor of 
the Evangelical Messenger until the next General Conference. 
A. B. Shaefer and J. G. Zinzer were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder ; Woos- 
ter, J. J. Zinzer; Sandusky, A. B. Shaefer; Scioto, A. E. 
Dreisbach. 

1855. Illinois Conference, Des Plaines, 111. , June 27. Bishop 
J. Long, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. Located — J. H. 
Yambert, William Kolb, L. Nauman and J. H. Esch. Died — 
C. Lintner. Received into the itinerancy — John Kurtz, John 
Schweitzer, H. Rothermund, Andrew Tarnutzer, August 
Huelster, William Zikerick, Jacob Sill, John Dengel, Fred. 
Schreiber and Henry Lageschulte. Ordained elder — J. G. 
Esslinger. Deacons — O. Ragatz, John Miller, Henry Shelp, 
Israel Kuter, Conrad Pfeil and L. VonWald. Henry Roh- 
LAND was reelected and C. Kopp and G. A. Blank were newly 
elected presiding elders. Resolved that churches be built in 
Madison, Wis., and Kankakee and Pekin, 111. 

Districts: Peoria, C. Kopp, presiding elder; Chicago, S. A. 
Tobias; Madison, H. Rohland; Milwaukee, G. A. Blank. 



310 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

1855. Indiana Conference, Elkhart county, Ind., May 30. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president ; A. Nicolai, secretary. George 
EcKART, located. Received into the itinerancy — C. Heiden, 
Fred. Geissel, Wm. Wessler, Melchoir Meyer and C. Wess- 
LiNG. Ordained deacons — ^John Fuchs, H. Strickler, Wm. 
BocKMAN and J. M. Kronmiller. C. Glaus resigned the office 
of presiding elder, and S. Dickover and G. G. Platz were 
elected. A mission was established in Indianapolis, Ind., and 
Berrien, Mich. 

Districts : St. Joseph, G. G. Platz, presiding elder ; Wabash, 
S. Dickover. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Eleventh General Conference, Held <it Lebanon, Pa., 
Sept. 19, 1855. 

1855. General Conference, eleventh session, Lebanon, Pa., 
Sept. 19. Bishop J. Seybert, president; J. J. Esher, of Illinois 
Conference, secretary ; J. G. Wollpert, of the Ohio, and Benj. 
Hengst, of the West Pa. Conference, assistants. 

A committee was appointed to draft rules for the founding 
and regulation of higher institutions of learning, which were 
adopted. The conference further express'ed its views on educa- 
tion, as follows: *'0n motion of W. W. Orwig it was resolved 
that this body concurs in the favorable sentiment expressed at 
several of the former sessions of General Conference, in refer- 
ence to the usefulness and advantages of a literary education, if 
subordinate to the Christian religion. Hence this conference 
again declares itself in favor of literary institutions in the Evan- 
gelical Association. Resolved, that the action of the East and 
West Pa. Conferences, as well as the Ohio, to erect and establish 
seminaries, is not only approved and rejoiced over, but that this 
conference wishes them success in said undertakings. " 

It was resolved to publish a monthly juvenile paper, to be 
called, Der Christliche Kinderfruend (The Christian Children's 
Friend). 

Bishop J. Seybert having presented to the conference ster- 
eotype plates of Rambach's Leiden Christiy he was accorded a 
vote of thanks, and 1,500 copies of the work were ordered to be 
published. 

W. W. Orwig was urged to have the History of the Evangel- 
ical Association ready for publication by Jan. i, 1856, the first 
edition to consist of 7,000 copies in the German, and 3,000 in 
the English language. 



312 E VANOELIGAL A880G1A TION ANNALS, 

The English hymn book was ordered to be revised and en- 
larged. A committee was appointed to prepare Sunday-school 
books for publication. The editors and correspondents of the 
Church periodicals were enjoined to remain neutral in politics in 
their communications. 

A committee was appointed to revise the Plan of Study for 
junior preachers. 

''Resolved, That the principal book agent shall be allowed to 
keep an assortment of good books on hand in the establishment 
for the convenience of our preachers, if he should deem it proper 
to do so." 

''Resolved, That the functionaries in our book establishment, 
together with the congregation at Cleveland, be requested to 
form themselves into a Tract Society, to draft a constitution and 
give a general invitation, through our periodicals, for member- 
ship in said society. 

"The Board of Foreign Missions shall, without delay, look 
out for promising young men, in order to have them properly 
trained land prepared for missionary services in the heathen 
world.'' 

The Wisconsin Conference was formed of part of the Illinois, 
John Seybert and Joseph Long were re-elected bishops. Chas. 
Hammer was re-elected chief book agent, C. G. Koch editor of 
the Chrisiliche Botschafter, and John Dreisbach editor of the 
Evangelical Messenger, Assets of the Publishing House were 
142,144. 

Delegates to General Conference, 1855. 

East Pa. Conference, — J. P. Leib, F. Hoffman, F. Krecker, 
S. Neitz, J. M. Saylor, G. T. Haines, Joseph Gross, W. Reber, 
D. Berger, J. C. Farnsworth, C. Meyers, J. Schell, E. Bast, M. 
F. Maize. 

West Pa. Conference. — W. W. Orwig, J. Boas, Philip Wag- 
oner, J. Dunlap, B. Hengst, M. J. Carothers, E. Kohr, J. M. 
Young, D. Kreamer, S. Wolf. 

Pittsburg Conference. — Jacob Rank, C. Lindeman, D. N. 
Long, H. Hampe, Joseph Truby, Andrew Stahle, G. W. Cupp. 

New York Conference, — W. Mintz, W. Schmidt, M. Lauer, 
M. Lehn, J. Kehr, D. Fisher. 

Ohio Conference. — J. G. Zinzer, A. B. Shaeffer, John Dries- 
bach, A. E. Driesbach, G. F. Spreng, C. Hammer, C. G. Koch, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 313 

E. Stoever, J. G. Wolpert, F. Freeh, J. Kanaga, J. Bernhart, 
P. W. Hahn, J. Burkitt, C. A. Munk, H. Longbrake, C. Idleman. 

Illinois Conference. — S. A. Tobias, J. J. Esher, J. Riegel, C. 
A. Schnake, J. M. Sindlinger, J. P. Kramer, J. G. Esher, L. H. 
Eiterman, J. G. Esslinger. 

Indiana Conference. — S. Dickover, G. G. Platz, J. Fisher, J. 
Keiper, A. Nicolai. 

1856. EastPa.Conference, AUentown, Pa., Feb. 27. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; Solomon Neitz, secretary. E. Bast, 
located. F. Banner died. J. C. Farnsworth took no appoint- 
ment. L. Kelly received credentials. Samuel Werner was 
licensed to preach. Ordained elders — E. Eby, J. Yeakel, N. 
GoEBEL and L. Snyder. Deacons — H. Koester, J. O. Lehr, 
M. DissiNGER, E. B. Miller, L. Kelly, T. Blattenberger, 
T. Sebold, I. Oberholtzer and W. Egge. Collections were 
ordered to be taken in July for the support of superannuated 
preachers, and preachers' widows and orphans. 

Frederick Banner, whose death is recorded here, was born 
near Manhcim, Pa. Entered the ranks of the East Pa. Confer- 
ence in 1840. Served fourteen years, two as presiding elder of 
Lebanon Bistrict (1850-51). His health being feeble he was 
compelled to locate. He died at Manheim in 1855. 

Bistricts : Philadelphia, C. Meyers, presiding elder; Leba- 
non, F. Krecker; Orwigsburg, Solomon Neitz. 

1856. West Pa. Conference, Mt. Zion Church, York county,. 
Pa., March 5. Bishop J. Seybert, president; L. May and B. 

F. Hall, secretaries. J. Boas and W. H. Berry were permitted 
to rest one year. E. Kohr and J. G. Miller, located, the lat- 
ter to go to Wisconsin. Jacob Henn, E. Klinefelter and J. 
Zimmerman were licensed. Received^into the traveling connec- 
tion — N. Boebler, S. Aurand, J. Henn, Jacob Hartzler, J. 
Zimmerman, S. Musser, Jacob Young, G. Hunter and Philip 
Graham. Ordained elders — H. R. Price, J. Young and S. W. 
Seibert. Beacon — H. Althouse. S. Wolf was re-elected 
agent for Union Seminary. B. Hengst was elected presiding 
elder. Middle Creek and Lock Haven Circuits in Pennsylva- 
nia, and Harford Circuit in Maryland, were formed. B. F. 
Hall was authorized to purchase a suitable conference book,, 
and record the proceedings of conference in the English language. 

Bistricts : Baltimore, B. Hengst, presiding elder ; Centre^, 
Philip Wagoner; Susquehanna, A. Longsdorf. 



314 EVANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

1856. Pittsburg Conference, Warren, Pa., March 26. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; Charles Lindeman, secretary. Located — 
E. Peer, H. H. Bucker and George Doll. Jacob Rosen- 
BERGER and Uriah Eberhart took credentials for a Western 
Conference. Joseph Truby died. Elias Beaty received license, 
and A. T. Doll, Joseph Weber, D. S. Poling and E. Beaty 
were received into the itinerancy. Jacob Rosenberger was 
ordained elder and John Peuffer and A. T. Doll deacons. G. 
W. Cupp was elected presiding elder. Erie Mission was changed 
into a station. 

Districts : Somerset, G. W. Cupp, presiding elder ; Allegheny, 
Jacob Rank ; Pittsburg, C. Lindeman. 

1856. New York Conference, Clinton, Canada, April 30. 
Bishop J. Long, president; P. Alles, secretary. W. Oetzel 
died. A. Z. Gottwals located. George Nott received license. 
Received into the itinerancy — George Eckert (Indiana Con- 
ference), Philip Miller, George Clark, George Nott, H.. 
Holtzman, H. Weiser, Jacob Sweitzer, Thomas Hauch, N. 
Geltzelichter and S. Morley. John Wagoner and J. D. 
Jenny were ordained elders, andG. Eckert, L. Herman, Joseph 
Umbach, G. Clark and N. Schneider deacons. M. Lauer 
resigned the office of presiding elder and M. Lehn was elected. 

Districts : Albany, W. Mintz, presiding elder ; Buffalo, M. 
Lehn; Canada, Jacob Kehr. 

1856* Ohio Conference, Hoffnungs Church, Wayne Co., 
O., May 14. Bishop J. Long, president; J. G. Wolpert, sec- 
retary. J. Rosenberg, of the Pittsburg Conference, was received. 
A. B. Shaefer and M. Hoehn received a transfer to the Indiana 
and T. M. Young to the Illinois Conference. Ordained elders — 
J. G. Theuer, J. Waltz and Benjamin Keller. Deacons — C. 
RoEHM, S. Hoy and M. Miller. J. Kanaga was appointed 
collector for Greensburg Seminary. John Dreisbach, editor 
of the Evangelical Messenger y resigned, and T. G. Clewell, of 
the East Pa. Conference, was elected. 

Districts: Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder; San- 
dusky, J. G. Zinzer; Scioto, A. E. Dreisbach. 

1856. Illinois Conference, Freeport, 111., April 16. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. Located — 
J. P. Kramer, L. H. Eiterman and C. Hummel. L. Nauman 
died. Received on probation — Henry Huelster, A. Stroh- 
meyer, C. Berner, J.W. Mohr, Daniel B. Byers, W. Stegner, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 315 

P, Held, George Shaefer and Rudolph Dubs. Received into 
the itinerancy — J. Meyer, W. Kolb, M. Hauert, GEORCfe Mess- 
NER and J. G. Miller (the latter from West Pa. Conference). 
Ordained elders — E. Musselman, L. BuEHLERand J. E. Auther. 
Deacons — Jacob Himmel, J. Schneider, Joseph F. Schnee, 
G. Vetter, J. E. Spielman, Joseph Gibens and Henry Lage- 
SCHULTE. Henry Rohland resigned the office of presiding 
elder, and S. A.Tobias, J. J. Esher and J. G. Esher were elected. 

The report of the committee on the division of the conference 
reported as follows: ''The Illinois Conference shall consist of 
three Districts — Peoria, Chicago and Freeport. Peoria District 
shall consist of Geneseo, Peru, Washington and Mason Circuits, 
and Peoria, Pekin, Mount Pulaski and Rock Island Missions. 
Chicago District shall consist of Des Plains, Dunkleys Grove, 
Naperville and Kaneville Circuits, Chicago Station, and Chicago, 
Cedar Lake and Kankakee Missions. Freeport District shall 
consist of Cedar Creek, Brookville and Grandview Circuits, 
Freeport Station, and Cedar River and Dubuque Missions. The 
Wisconsin Conference shall consist of two Districts — Milwaukee 
and Madison. Milwaukee District shall consist of Greenfield, 
Menomonee, Sheboygan, Lomira and Jefferson Circuits, Racine 
Station, and Milwaukee Mission. Madison District shall consist 
of Sauk and Fox River Circuits, and Madison, Dane County, 
Monroe, Oshkosh and La Crosse Missions." 

The sum of I131.50 was raised at the conference for the 
establishment of a mission in Minnesota. 

Illinois Conference Districts: Peoria, C. Kopp, presiding 
elder ; Freeport, S. A. Tobias ; Chicago, J. J. Esher. 

Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee District, G. A. Blank, 
presiding elder. Greenfield Circuit, J. G. Esslinger and H. 
Huelster; Menomonee, Noah McLain and George Shaffer; She- 
boygan, C. Pfeil and W. Zickerick ; Lomira, O. Ragatz ; Jefferson, 
John Meyer; Racine, C. Augenstein ; Milwaukee Mission, Israel 
Kuter. Madison District, J. G. Esher, presiding elder. Madison 
Mission, J. G. Miller ; Fox River Circuit and Portage Mission, 
L. Buehler and A. Tamutzer ; Monroe Mission, Jacob Sill ; 
Dane County, M. Hauert; Oshkosh, Augustus Huelster; La 
Crosse, L. VonWald. 

1856. Indiana Conference, Mt. Carmel, 111. Bishop Jos. 
Long, president; A. Nicolai, secretary. C. Heiden located. 
M. Krieger was licensed to preach. A. B. Schaeffer, M, 



316 EVANOELIGALA8S0C1A TION ANNALS. 

HoEHN, L. Shireman and M. Alsbach, of the Ohio Conference, 
were received into the Indiana Conference. M. W. Steffey 
was ordained elder and G. Koch deacon. A new district was 
formed and A. B. Schaeffer was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Wabash, S. Dickover, presiding elder; White 
Water, A. B. Schaeffer ; St. Joseph, G. G. Platz. 

Note. — Considerable advancementwasmadeinthe year 1856. 
In the East Pa. Conference the Philadelphia English Mission, un- 
der T. G. Clewell, made an auspicious beginning, with a class 
organization and flourishing Sunday-school. The work prospered 
in LancAster and Lebanon. In the West, Detroit Mission was 
founded and a good beginning made. John Dreisbach, editor 
of the Evangelical Messenger, was necessitated, because of bodily 
infirmities, to resign his office at the session of the Ohio Confer- 
ence. The conference, in suitable resolutions, expressed its 
appreciation of his long and valuable services to the Church, and 
sympathy in his afflictions, and in his stead elected T. G. Cle- 
well, of the East Pa. Conference. A. Tarnutzer, junior preacher 
of Fox River Circuit, was sent to Minnesota to begin the work. 
He reached Winona Nov. 8, and was welcomed by G. Hess, a 
member of the Church from Cleveland, O. On the following 
evening he preached in Winona. From thence he went to Roll- 
ing Stone Valley, where he was welcomed. A meeting was begun 
and souls were converted. Afterwards he gained entrance in 
Rochester, Olmstead county. This was the commencement of 
our work in Minnesota. At the following session of the Wiscon- 
sin Conference three fields of labor were formed in that territory. 

1857, EastPa.Conference, New York City, Feb. 25. Bishop 
J. Long, president; S. Neitz, secretary. T. G. Clewell re- 
ceived credentials to the Ohio and J. C. Farnsworth to the 
West Pa. Conference. M. Sindlinger located. A. Boetzel 
was licensed, and H. Stoetzel was again received into the itin- 
erancy. Ordained elders — J. Frey, S. P. Reinoehl, W. Yost, 
R. Yeakel and T. G. Clewell. Deacons — R. Litzenberger, 
F. Walker, J. Werner, C. S. Haman and R. Wright. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. Myers, presiding elder; Lebanon, 
F. Krecker; Orwigsburg, S. Neitz. 

1857. West Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., March 12. 
Bishop J. Long, president; L. May, secretary. J. C. Lunger 
withdrew. B. F. Hall and J. Kramer located. Received into 
the itinerancy — J. C. Farnsworth (of the East Pa. Conference), 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 317 

E. KoHR, Samuel Smith, D. L. Sutton and George Hunter. 
Ordained elders — G. W. F. Young, A. L. Reeser and N. Doeb- 
ler. Deacons — H. Broadbeck and G. Rishel. S. Wolf was 
re-elected agent for Union Seminary. J. Dunlap was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts: Baltimore, B. Hengst, presiding elder; Centre, 
P. Wagoner ; Susquehanna, J. Dunlap. 

1857» Pittsburg Conference, Zion Church, Westmoreland 
county, Pa., April i. Bishop J. Long, president; C. Lindeman 
and D. N. Long, secretaries. Joseph Truby and Jacob Frey 
died. A. Bower withdrew from the Church. S. F. Crowther 
was licensed. Received into the itinerancy — J. L. W. Seibert, 
James Croasman, J. Shaefer, A. R. Teats and S. F. Crowther. 

A. Niebel was elected presiding elder. J. Weber and W. B. 
Poling located. Ordained elders — A. Long, W. B. Pfeufer, 

B. L. Miller, L. D. Reichman and W. B. Poling. Deacons — 
W. Fisher and A. R. Teats. 

The report of the committee appointed to arrange a union 
with the Ohio Conference, in the interests of Greensburg Semi- 
nary, was received, and the agent of said institution was invited 
to collect funds within the bounds of the conference. 

Districts : Somerset, G. W. Cupp, presiding elder ; Allegheny, 
A. Niebel; Pittsburg, C. Lindeman. 

1857. NewYork Conference, Lyons, N.Y., April 2 2. Bishop 
J. Long, president; M. Lauer, secretary. F. Scharffe and 
N. Geltzlichter located. Received into the itinerancy — J. 
Stabler, A. Spies, S. Krupp, D. Dibble and M. Pfitzinger. 
Ordained elders — E. G. Stabler and P. J. Muller. Deacon — 
A. Kline. Croghan, Liverpool, South Buffalo and Oxford Mis- 
sions were formed. 

Districts: Albany, W. Mintz, presiding elder; Buffalo, M. 
Lehn; Canada, J. Kehr. 

1857, Ohio Conference, Bristol, O., May 23. Bishop J. 
Long, president; J. G. Wolpert, secretary. Located — A. E. 
Dreisbach, J. Erb, p. W. Hahn, Jacob Ressler, Geo. Berry, 
J. Strohm, G. H. Behner and G. M. Reinhold. John Lentz 
took credentials for another conference. Died — Michael Wal- 
ter, Shem Sager and Jacob Spring. T. G. Clewell, editor 
of the Evangelical Messenger, was received as a member of con- 
ference. Received into the itinerancy — Jacob Shaeffer, George 
Doll, P. Wiest, C. Haldeman, D. Swartz, David Rohland, 



318 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS, 

J. A. RuPPERT, Elias Kraus and John Haug. J. G. Wolpert, 
missionary to Germany. Ordained elder — J. P. Schnatz. Dea^ 
cons — H. F. Strouch, John Stull, Jacob Ressler, H. Cover, 
Jacob Shaeffer, J. Hoehn, George Schott, Joseph Keiser 
and C. Haldeman. George Haley was elected presiding elder. 

A resolution was passed recommending that district ministe- 
rial conventions be held, tinder the presidency of the presiding 
elders, for the purpose of discussing biblical subjects and matters 
of general interest, for the welfare of the Church. 

Districts : Cleveland, G. Haley, presiding elder ; Scioto, G. 
F. Spreng; Sandusky, J. G. Zinzer. 

1857* Illinois Conference, Washington, 111., April 2 2. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; C. Kopp, secretary. Received into the 
itinerancy — G. M. Young, Adam Rohrbach, William Lechler 
and Henry Hintze. C. Kopp resigned the office of presiding 
elder, and John Riegel and Wm. Kolb were elected. Ordained 
elder — John Miller, Jr. Deacons — John Kurtz, H. Roth- 
mund, F. Schreiber and John Dengel. The work in Iowa was 
constituted a presiding elder district. Rush Creek Circuit and 
North Bend Mission were formed, and missions established in 
Kansas and Nebraska. 

Districts: Chicago, J. J. Esher, presiding elder; Freepori, 
S. A. Tobias; Peoria, J. Riegel; Iowa, W. Kolb. Charges in 
Iowa: Grandview, J. Schneider; North Bend Mission, Joseph 
Gibens, Jr.; Cedar River, J. Schaffleand J.W. Mohr; Dubuque,^ 
Henry Schelp and R. Dubs. 

1857, Indiana Conference, East Germantown, Ind., Sept. 
23. Bishop J. Seybert, president; A. B. Schaeffer, secretary. 
H. Strickler died. P. Getz and A. Nicolai located. Con. 
Kohlmeyer and C. Ude were newly received, and George Kloep- 
FER, D. Bartholomew, H. Kramer, D. Gorell, Joshua Paulin^ 
Con. Kohlmeyer, C. Ude, E. Kiplinger and Jacob Trometer 
were received into the itinerancy. Ordained elders — John 
FucHS, J. M. Kronmiller and William Bookman. Deacons — 
Michael Alsbach, F. Geisel, M. Meyer, C. Wessling and W. 
Wessler. Philip Bretsch was elected presiding elder. Carmi 
and Calhoun Missions and Yellow River Circuit were established. 

Districts : Wabash, P. Bretsch, presiding elder ; White River, 
A. B. Schaeffer ; St. Joseph, G. G. Platz. 

1857. Wisconsin Conference held its first annual session 
in Zion Church, five miles east of Jefferson, Wis., May 6. Bishop- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 319 

J. Seybert, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. Located — 
C. AuGENSTEiN and J. Meyer. Received into the itinerancy 
— John Hammeter, P. Massuger and George VonEschen. 
Ordained elders — Israel Kuter, Con. Pfeil, L. Vonwald, O. 
Ragatz and J. Meyer. Deacons — J. Sills, A. Tarnutzer, 
Augustus Huelster and W. Zickerick. The work in Min- 
nesota was divided into three fields — St. Paul, St. Peters and 
Winona Missions. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. A. Blank, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, J. G. Esher. 

Note. — This year is marked by many notable events in the his- 
tory of the Church, among them the building of the first Evangelical 
Church in Minnesota, at St. Paul, which was dedicated Oct. ii. 
The first church in Iowa was built at Grandview, and dedicated 
Nov. 27. The second in that State was built at Independence, 
in 1858, and the third at Green Castle, in 1859. This year also 
marks the appearance of the first history of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation by W. W. Orwig. The missionary interests of the Church 
flourished. Rev. J. G. Wolpert was sent as additional missionary 
to Germany, while in the periodicals appear acknowledgments 
of funds received for a heathen mission. This year the first 
district ministerial convention in the history of the Church was 
held at Greensburg, O., Sept. 29, and continued three days. 
This was favorably noted by the periodicals, and the general 
introduction of such conventions recommended. An examination 
of the program and the editorial comments, shows the charac- 
ter of the convention to have been the same as those of more 
recent times. 

1858. East Pa. Conference, Weissport, Pa., Feb. 24. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president ; S. Neitz, secretary. Received into the 
itinerancy — Joseph Specht, M. Guhl, Jesse Young, Edmund 
Butz, I. OvERHOLTZER, Jos. KuTZ and A. BoETZEL. Ordained 
elders — H. Stoetzel, H. Koester, T. Sebold, E. B. Miller, 
T. Plattenberger, F. P. Lehr and J. O. Lehr. Deacons — 
W. Bachman, J. Zern, J. H. Miller, J.Young and H. Kempfer. 
Missions were located in North Philadelphia, New York City 
and New Rochelle. F. Hoffman was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. Myers, presiding elder ; Lebanon, 
F. Hoffman; Orwigsburg, S. Neitz. 

1858, West Pa. Conference, New Kingston, Pa., March 11. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; B. Hengst, secretary. Died — Jacob 



^20 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

Nees and J. G. Bartch. Located — M. J. Carothers, D. L. 
Sutton and George Bellinger. D. Kramer was elected agent 
for Union Seminary. Received into the itinerancy — J. Clair, J. 
Kramer, W. H. Gottwald, G. P. Weaver and Albert Sommer- 
viLLE. Ordained elder — H. Althouse. Deacons — S. Aurand, 

D. W. Miller, J. Hartzler and J. Henn. E. Kohr was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts: Baltimore, B. Hengst, presiding elder; Centre, 

E. Kohr; Susquehanna, J. Dunlap. 

1858. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 24. 
Bishops Seybert and Long were both present. C. Lindeman, 
secretary. Located — A. T. Doll and J. Rank. Again received 
— J. Weaver, Philip Swilley and J. Honecker. Newly re- 
ceived — J. Ream, J. C. Bender, A. Weaver and D. Strayer. 
Ordained elder — J. Pfeuffer. Deacons — B. Shade, J. Weaver, 
E. Beatty, J. Croasm.\n and D. S. Poling. A. Niebel resigned 
the office of presiding elder, and A. Stahle and J. Weikel were 
elected. 

Districts : Pittsburg, 'A. Stahle, presiding elder ; Allegheny, 
J. Weikel; Somerset, G. W. Cupp. 

1858. Ohio Conference, Salem Church, Marion Co., O., 
May 13. Bishop J. Long, president; C. G. Koch, secretary. 
P. SwARTZ was dismissed from conference. Located — Benjamin 
Keller, D. Rohland, J. A. Ruppert and C. Idleman. Died — 
H. Longbrake, John Erb, Jacob Kleinfelter and George 
Berry. Received on trial — Andrew Swartz, F. Zeller, Daniel 
Heininger, J. Haldeman, J. Ressler, C. Thomas, D. Eckert, 
Jonas Hager and J. Hoehn. Ordained elders — M. J. Miller, 
D. SwARTZ, C. Ream and Samuel Hoy. Deacons — C.Tramer, 
R. Spatz and Simeon Swartz. D. Strohman was elected pre- 
siding elder. 

Districts : Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder ; San- 
dusky, G. Haley ; Scioto, D. Strohman ; Michigan, J. G. Zinzer. 

M. J. Miller and Philip Porr were appointed to the Mis- 
souri and Kansas Missions. Miller arrived at Leavenworth, 
Kan., Aug. 9, where a number of members resided, among them 
J. G. Ettinger, four miles west of Leavenworth, who received 
him with joy. At Lawrence and Franklin he found members 
who had been organized into classes by Bro. Fleisher. Kansas 
City, Mo., was visited and a preaching place secured. On the 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 321 

whole, the brethren succeeded very well, and a firm footing was 
gained in Missouri and Kansas. 

A plan of study for preachers was adopted, and 500 copies 
of the same were ordered to be printed. Michigan District was 
formed. Zanesville was taken up as a mission. A mission was 
established in Kansas and Missouri, and the preachers were direct- 
ed to take up collections on their charges for the same. 

Henry Longbrake was born in Fairfield county, O., Sept. 26, 
1809, entered the ranks of the Ohio Conference in 1838, and 
spent about fifteen years in the itinerancy. He was one of the 
leading men of his conference. He died in Hancock county, O., 
June 24, 1857. 

1858, Illinois Conference, Spring Creek Church, Stephen- 
son county, 111., April 21. Bishop J. Long, president; J. J. 
EsHER, .secretary. Died — P. Woodring, H. Aslbach and J. 
Gebhart. Located — C. Kopp and L. H. Eiterman. Ordained 
elders — Joseph Gibens, Jacob Himmel, H. L. Schulde, J. F. 
Schnee, John Schneider, George Vetter, J. C. Spielman and 
H. Shelp. Deacons — J. W. Mohr, R. Dues, A. Strohmeier, 
W. Lechler and D. B. Byers. L. Eberhart, of the West Pa. 
Conference, was received. Bloomington, 111., and Muscatine, 
Cedar River, Waterloo and Des Moines, Iowa, Missions were 
established. 

Districts: Chicago, J. J. Esher; Free ort, S. A. Tobias; 
Peoria, John Riegel ; Iowa, William Kolb. 

J. F. Schreiber was appointed to Nebraska Mission. He 
began his labor at Council Bluffs. By the end of the conference 
year he had secured a number of appointments, mostly in the 
vicinity of Council Bluffs. This was the commencement of our 
work in Nebraska. 

1858. Indiana Conference, Bethlehem Church, St. Joseph 
county, Ind., Sept. 8. Bishop Joseph Long, president; A. B. 
Schaeffer, secretary. P. Swartz, of the Ohio Conference, was 
received. John Hoffman was licensed. John Hoffman and 
M. Klaiber were received into the itinerancy. B. Run was 
ordained elder, and Michael Kreuger, deacon. Vandalia, 
Cicero and Waupecong Missions were established. A. Nicolai, 
a former missionary in Germany, was received and took an 
appointment. 

Districts : Wabash, P. Bretsch, presiding elder; White Water, 
A. B. Schaeffer; St. Joseph, G. G. Platz. 



323 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1858. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., April 21. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president ; M. Lauer, secretary. The work 
in Canada was divided into Hamilton and Waterloo Districts. 

1858. Wisconsin Conference, Salem Church, Prairie Du 
Sac, Wis., May 6. Bishop J. Long, president; C. A. Schnake, 
secretary. The missions in Minnesota were reported as very 
prosperous. 

Note. — The leading event of this year in the Association was 
the establishment of the Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas Missions, 
as well as the extensive development of the work in the North- 
west. The many and strong editorials and numerous communi- 
cations on the subject in the periodicals, indicate a glowing 
missionary spirit. 

1859. EastPa.Conference, Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 23. Bishop 
J. Long, president; F. Krecker, secretary. D. Berger and 
S. P. Reinoehl were given permission to rest one year. J. 
Young and I. Oberholtzer, located. J. Eckert was granted 
credentials. Joseph Werner, F. Walker, R. Litzenberger, 
C. S. Haman and Moses Dissinger were ordained elders, and 
M. GuHL, J. Schneider, B. Gressley, D. Witmer and C. H. 
Baker, deacons. J. Miller and J. Kurtz were licensed on 
trial. M. Sindlinger was again, and J. A. Apgar, Jacob 
Schneider and Thomas Bowman were newly received into the 
itinerancy. 

Districts : Philadelphia, C. Meyers, presiding elder ; Leba- 
non, F. Hoffman ; Orwigsburg, S. Neitz. 

1859. West Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 3. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; L. May, secretary. Died — G. W. 
F. Young and S. Peters. Located — A. Summerville and S. 
WoLP. W. H. Gottwald and G. Weber withdrew from the 
Church. J. DuNLAP resigned the office of presiding elder and 
took credentials for the Illinois Conference. P. Wagoner was 
elected presiding elder, and J. Kramer agent of Union Semi- 
nary. M. Walter was licensed on trial, and Z. Hornberger, 
S. Davis, M. Walter, S. D. Bennington and W. M. Harris 
were received into the itinerancy. Ordained elders — P. Gra- 
ham and H. Broadbeck. Deacons — J. Zimmerman, Jacob 
Clair, S. Smith and Z. Hornberger, 

Districts; Baltimore, B. Hengst, presiding elder ; Centre, E. 
Kohr ; Susquehanna, P. Wagoner. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 323 

1859. Pittsburg Conference, Salem Church, Armstrong 
county. Pa., March 17. Bishop J. Long, president; A. Niebel 
and J. L. W. Seibert, secretaries. Charles Lindeman and J. 
C. Bender, located. S. B. Kring was permitted to rest a year. 
A. Weaver died. Received into the itinerancy — Jabob Rank 
(again), George Domer and J. Q. A. Weller. Ordained elder 
A. R. Teats. Deacon — S. F. Crowther. 

Districts : Pittsburg, A. Stahle, presiding elder ; Somerset 
G. W. Cupp ; Allegheny, J. Weikel. 

1859. New York Conference, * ' Stone Church, " North East 
hope, Canada, April 20. Bishop Joseph Long, president; Wm 
Schmidt, secretary. S. Marley, located. L. Jacoby and J 
Kehr were permitted to rest a year. C. A. Thomas and F. Bol 
LER were licensed, and A. Mueller, J. Kechele, L. Wildfang 
G. BiSH and C. A. Thomas were received into the itinerancy 
Ordained elder — A. Klein. Deacons — A. Spies, M. Pfitzinger 
T. Hauch, S. Kropp, p. Winkler and U. Graves. Hamilton 
District was discontinued. 

Districts : Albany, S. Weber, presiding elder ; Buffalo, M. 
Lehn ; Waterloo (Canada), W. Schmidt. 

1859. Ohio Conference, EmanuePs Church, Morrow county, 
Ohio, May 18. Bishop J. Long, president; C. G. Koch, sec- 
retary. Located — F. Frech, J. Hoehn, J. Hager and C. 
Haldeman. Received into the itinerancy — C. M. Reinhold, 
G. F. Behner, E. Loos, W. Eckley, H. Longbrake, F. G. 
Bachman, Wm. Wonder and T. George. Ordained elders — 
C. Thomas, H. Cover, John Stoll, H. T. Strauch and C. 
Haldeman. Deacons — E. B. Crouse, J. M. Hough, F. R. 
ToTHERO and S. K. Miesse. C. A. Munk was elected presid- 
ing elder. Subscriptions were ordered to be taken, immediately 
after conference, on all the charges, for the support of Kansas 
and Missouri Missions. 

Districts: Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder; San- 
dusky, George Haley ; Scioto, Daniel Strohman ; Michigan, C. 
A. Munk. 

1859. Illinois Conference, Brookville, 111., April 27. Bishop 
J. Seybert, president ; J. J. Esher, secretary. Located — J. C. 
Anthes, C. Pfeil, H. Libke and G. Messner. Received on 
probation — A. Guckley and P. M. Welty. Received into the 
itinerancy — H. Bucks, (of the East Pa. Conference), H. Klein- 
SORGE and A. Gockley. Ordained elders — J. F. Schreiber, 



324 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS, 

John Kurtz and J. Dengel. Deacons — H. Hintze, A. Heil- 
MAN, J. Schweitzer and C. Berner. Wm. Kolb resigned the 
office of presiding elder, and Wm. Strassburger was elected. 
The following circuits were formed: Deer Grove, Plainfield, 
Rock Run, Hampshire and Brookville. The missions formed 
were: Aurora (111.), and Dubuque, Independence and Green- 
castle, in Iowa. 

Districts: Chicago, J. J. Esher, presiding elder; Freeport, 
S. A. Tobias; Peoria, J. Riegel; Iowa, Wm. Strassburger. 

1859. Indiana Conference, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 7. 
Bishop J. Seybert, president; M. Hoehn, secretary. Newly 
licensed — P. Roth, Michael Gomer and E. Evans. Received 
into the itinerancy — G. A. Hertle, S. Blauser, P. Roth, M. 
Gomer and E. Evans (newly), and R. Riegel, of the Ohio Con- 
ference. Ordained elders — M. Alsbach, F. G. Geisel, C. 
Wessling, M. Meier, J.Trometter and G. Kloepfer. Deacons 
— C. CoLMEiER, C. Ude, J. Paulin, D. Bartholemew, E. Kip- 
PLiNGER and John Riegel (again). P. Bretsch and A. B. 
Shaeffer resigned the office of presiding elder, because of bodily 
infirmities, and Joseph Fisher and M. W. Steffey were elected. 

Districts : Wabash, M. W. Steffey, presiding elder ; White 
Water, G. G. Platz ; St. Joseph, J. Fisher. 

1859. Wisconsin Conference, Racine, Wis. , May 1 1 . Bishop 
J. Seybert, president; H. Huelster, secretary. O. Ragatz, 
located. Received on probation — C. Lahr, F. Huelster, F. 
Schroeder, J. Rasskopf, a. Niehrens and W. Frederick. 
Received into the itinerancy — C. Lahr, W. Frederick, F. 
Huelster, F. Schroeder and J. Rasskopf. Ordained elders 
— A. Tarnutzer, a. Huelster and W. Zickerick. Deacons 
— J. Hammetter, G. Von Eschen and P. Massueger. L. 
Buehler was newly elected and G. A. Blank re-elected presid- 
ing elder. Minnesota District was formed. St. Peter's Mission 
was formed into Cannon River, New Ulm and Upper Mississippi 
Missions. 

Districts : Milwaukee, J. G. Esher, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, G. A. Blank; Minnesota, L. Buehler. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Twelfth General Conference, Held at Naperville, III,, 

Oct. 5, 1859. 

1859. General Conference, twelfth session, Naperville, 111., 
Oct. 5. Bishops John Seybert and Joseph Long, and all the 
delegates but one were in attendance. Bishop Long opened the 
conference. C. G. Koch, secretary; B, Hengst and J. J. 
EsHER, assistants. 

The constitution of the Missionary Society was materially 
changed. A General Board was created, to consist of one dele- 
gate from each annual conference, with a corresponding secre- 
tary to devote his entire time to the office, and collect funds 
throughout the Church. Action was also taken looking to the 
establishment of a heathen mission. A Missionary Department 
was ordered to be maintained in the Church periodicals. The 
Missionary Board was advised to locate a mission in Switzerland. 

The Board of Publication was created, and ordered to be in- 
corporated. Said Board to be composed of seven members, to 
be elected by the General Conference. 

It was resolved that as soon as the Christliche Botschafter 
and Evangelical Messenger have an aggregate circulation of 
15,000 they shall be published weekly. An English Sunday- 
school paper, to be called the Sunday-School Messengery was 
ordered to be published as soon as 5,000 subscribers are assured. 
The larger Catechism was ordered to be improved by printing 
the references in small type, and the smaller Catechism to be 
translated into English and published. 

A committee, composed of Bishops Long and Orwig, and 
C. G. Koch and T. G. Clewell were appointed to prepare a 
course of study for junior preachers. (A similar committee had 
been appointed for this purpose by the last General Conference, 



326 EVANOELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

but it had not attended to the matter. ) It was resolved that the 
editors and publishers shall always be eligible for election. The 
committee on revision of the Discipline reported a chapter rela- 
tive to the appointment and duties of stewards, and a form of 
recommendation for applicants for the ministry, which were 
adopted. 

It was resolved that a Sunday-School and Tract Union be 
organized, to be located at Cleveland, Ohio, and a committee, 
consisting of J. G. Zinzer, Joseph Long, C. G. Koch and T. 
G. Clewell, was appointed to prepare a constitution for said 
union, and to make the necessary arrangements for its establish- 
ment, the constitution to be submitted to the annual conferences, 
which are to organize themselves into auxiliaries. 

Iowa District, of the Illinois Conference, and Minnesota 
District, of the Wisconsin Conference, besides the mission fields 
in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, were constituted a new con- 
ference, called Iowa Conference. The name of the West Pa., 
was changed to the Central Pa. Conference. 

John Seybert and Joseph Long were re-elected, and W. W. 
Orwig, was newly elected to the office of bishop. C. G. Koch 
was re-elected editor of the Christliche Botschafter,^. G. Clewell 
editor of the Evangelical Messenger, and Charles Hammer 
chief book agent. Reuben Yeakel was elected corresponding 
secretary of the Missionary Society. 

Delegates. — East Pa. Conference. — F. Hoffman, J. P. Leib, 
S. Neitz, C. Myers, F. Krecker, W. L. Reber, H. Stetzel, J. 
Yeakel and J. Breitenstein. Alternates — G. T. Haines, S. G. 
Rhoads, J. Koehl. 

West Pa. Conference.-^Y.. Kohr, W. W- Orwig, B. Hengst, 
P. Wagoner, M. J. Carothers, D. Kramer, A. Longsdorf. Alter- 
nates — J. Dunlap, L. May, J. M. Young. 

Pittsburg Conference. — ^A. Stahley, J. L. W. Seibert, C. 
Lindeman, A. Niebel. Alternates — J. G. Pfeuffer, G. W. Cupp. 

N. V. Conference.— W. Schmidt, S. Weber, M. Lehn, F. 
Herlan. Alternates — D. Fisher, T. Schneider. 

Wisconsin Conference. — G. A. Blank, J. G. Esher, C. A. 
Schnacke. 

Ohio Conference. — John Dreisbach, J. G. Zinzer, G. F. 
Spreng, C. Hammer, C. G. Koch, G. Haley, T. G. Clewell, D. 
Strohman, J. Nicolai, C. A. Munk. Alternates — C. Idleman, 
J. J. Kopp, G. F. Behner. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 337 

Illinois Conference,—']. J. Esher, S. A. Tobias, J. Riegel, W. 
Strassberger, H. Rohland, C. Augenstein, C. Kopp, J. P. 
Kreamer, S. Dickover. Alternates — S. Musselman, H. Bucks, 
L. Eberhart. 

Indiana Conference. — A. B. Shaefer, G. G. Platz, J. Fisher, 
M. W. Steffey, P. Bretsch. 

I860. East Pa. Conference, Annville, Pa., Feb. 29. Bishop 
W. W. Orwig, president; Jesse Yeakel, secretary. E. Bast 
withdrew from the Church. Abraham Frey (local) died. R. 
Deisher, G. Gaumer, W. Heim and Joseph Werner, located. 
George Harm was licensed on trial. A. Schultz was again 
received. T. Harper, H. Kempfer, J. Steltzer, D. Yingst, 
L. Schmidt, G. B. Fisher and S. S. Chubb were received into 
the itinerancy. Ordained elders — J. Zern and W. H. Bachman. 
Deacons — E. Butz, J. Specht, T. Harper, A. Boetzel and J. 
Bertolett. S. Neitz was re-elected and G. T. Haines and L. 
Snyder were newly elected presiding elders. **The custom of 
retaining in the itinerancy such preachers who had located was 
abolished." It was resolved to organize a Sunday-School and 
Tract Union, auxiliary to the Parent Society of the Evangelical 
Association. Suitable action was taken on the death of Bishop 
Seybert. 

Districts : Philadelphia, G. T. Haines, presiding elder ; Le- 
high, S. Neitz; Lebanon, F. Hoffman; Orwigsburg, L. Snyder. 

I860. Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 8. 
Bishop W.W. Orwig, president; L. May, secretary; M. J. Caro- 
thers and S. Wolf became effective. Licensed to preach — A. 
H. Irvine, F. C. Hoffman, E. Conser and George Focht. 
Received into the itinerancy — Michael Sloat, F. C. Hoffman, 
S. T. Buck, A. H. Irvine, D. W. Miller, H. A. Deatrick, J. 
M. McGaw and A. Rearick. Ordained elders — S. Aurand and 
J. Hartzler. Deacons — D. Kepner, S. Bookman and George 
Dressler. Jacob Young was elected presiding elder. Agent 
for Union Seminary, S. Wolf. An auxiliary Sunday-School and 
Tract Society was formed. It was resolved that ministers engaged 
in literary institutions shall be considered as sustaining itinerant 
relations. 

Districts : Baltimore, Jacob Young, presiding elder ; Centre, 
E. Kohr; Susquehanna, P. Wagoner. 

1860. Pittsburg Conference, Bethel Church, Indiana county, 
Pa., March 22. W.W. Orwig, president; A. Niebel, secretary. 



328 BVANOBLICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

Jacob Rank located. D. N. Long and H. W. Pfeuffer were 
granted credentials. C. Lindeman, C. Stauffer, J. Bernhart, 
Sr., H. J. Bowman, M. H. Shannon, W, Smith, G. W. ReIs- 
iNGER, E. Peer and H. McBride were received into the itinerancy. 
Ordained elders — G. W. Fisher, J. Grossman, D. S. Poling 
and E. Beatty. Deacons — J. Reams, G. W. Reisinger, L. B. 
Donmeyer and J. H. Shaffer. A. Niebel and J. L. W. Seibert 
were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Pittsburg, A. Stahle, presiding elder ; Cleveland, 
A. Niebel ; Allegheny, J. Weikel, J. L. W. Seibert. 

I860* New York Conference, Lockport, N. Y., April i8. 
Bishop W.W. Orwig, president ; M. Lauer, secretary. Ordained 
elders — J. Stabler, H. Holyman, and D. Dippel. Deacons — 
F. Lohmeyer and U. Graves. S. Weber resigned the office of 
presiding elder, and M. Lauer, L. Jacobi and J. D. Jenni were 
elected. The work in Canada was again divided into two districts. 

Districts: Albany, L. Jacobi, presiding elder; Buffalo, M. 
Lauer ; Hamilton, J. D. Jenni ; Waterloo, W. Schmidt. 

I860. Ohio Conference, Flat Rock, O., May i6. Bishop 
W. W. Orwig, president ; G. F. Spreng, secretary. Located — 

E. Loos, J. Haldeman and A. Yambert. Died — A. Hennig, 
John Riegel and John Betz. Received into the itinerancy on 
trial — John Meck, Stephen Henni, L. C. Morse, F. R.Tothero, 

F. W. Walkey, L. H. Lindner and E. Boyer; also F. Frech 
and W. H. Pfeuffer of the Pittsburg Conference. Ordained 
elders — C. Tramer, S. Swartz, C. M. Reinhold, J. Ressler, 
and J. Shaffer. Deacons — Andrew Swartz, F. Zeller, E. 
Loos, D. Heininger, F. R.Tothero, J. Haldeman, J. McQuil- 
len and C. Deike. An auxiliary branch of the Sunday-School 
and Tract Union was formed. Resolutions denouncing secret 
and oath-bound societies were adopted. M. J. Miller and P. 
PoRR, missionaries in Kansas, were granted credentials to the 
Iowa Conference. Inasmuch as conference was held in close 
proximity to the grave of Bishop Seybert, recently deceased, a 
very impressive memorial service was held at his grave. 

Districts: Wayne, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder; Scioto, 
George Haley ; Sandusky, D. Strohman ; Michigan, C. A. Munk. 

1860. Illinois Conference, Plainfield, 111., April 25. Bishop 
J. Long, president; H. Bucks, secretary. Received license — 
Henry Messner, C. Dimmer andW. Uber. Received into the 
itinerancy — J. Lutz, D. N. Long, L. H. Eiterman, C. Ott, H. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 329 

Shoemaker, H. H. Bair, H. Messner, E. Dimmer and W.Uber. 
Ordained elders — W. Lechler, D. B. Byers, A. Strohman, J. 
W. Mohr and R. Dubs. Deacons — W. Goessele, C. Tobias, 
J. G, Kleinknecht and E. Freeden. J. Riegel and W. Strass- 
berger resigned the office of presiding elder, and S. A. Tobias 
was re-elected and H. Rohland, H. Bucks, S. Dickover and 
Levi Eberhart were newly elected. That part of this conference 
now belonging to the Iowa Conference shall be divided into two 
presiding elder districts, called Iowa and Kansas districts. Iowa 
District shall consist of Marion, Grandview and North Bend 
Circuits, and Dubuque, Maquoketa, Muscatine Waterloo and 
Cedar Rapids Missions. Kansas District to consist of Green 
Castle, Fort Des Moines, Nebraska, Franklin and Humboldt 
Missions. An auxiliary branch of the Sunday-School and Tract 
Union was formed. 

Districts : Chicago, H. Rohland, presiding elder ; Freeport, 
H. Bucks; Peoria, S. A. Tobias; Iowa, S. Dickover; Kansas, 
L. Eberhart. 

I860. Wisconsin Conference, Jefferson, Wis., May 9. Bishop 
J. Long, president; H. Huelster, secretary. Located — F. 
Shroeder and W. Frederick. Received into the itinerancy — 
O. Ragatz,G. ZellhoefeRjC. Brill, J. P. Veil, M. Hammetter 
and E. Shultz. Ordained elders — G. Shaeffer, H. Huelster, 
P. Held and W. Stegner. Deacons — E. H. Linse, J. Lauzhof, 
N. ScHNECK, W. Schneider, J. Smith, G. Fritsche and L. 
Seeler. J. G. EsHER was re-elected, and Israel Kuter newly 
elected presiding elder. A branch society of the Sunday-School 
and Tract Union was formed. 

Districts : Milwaukee, J. G. Esher, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, G. A. Blank; Minnesota, Israel Kuter. 

I860* Indiana Conference, Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 5. Bishop 
J. Long, president; M. Hoehn, secretary. F. Hoffman re- 
ceived license. M. Speck and P. Schwilley were received into 
the itinerancy. M. Krueger was ordained elder, and J. Hoff- 
man, M. Klaiber and S. Miesse, deacons. Oath-bound societies 
were deprecated. An auxiliary Sunday-school and Tract So- 
ciety was formed. 

Districts: Wabash, M. W. StefEy, presiding elder; White 
River, G. G. Platz; St. Joseph, Joseph Fisher. 

I860. Iowa Conference. The appointments of Iowa Dis- 



330 EVANGELIGALA880C1A TION ANNALS. 

trict were in Iowa and Minnesota, and those of the Kansas Dis- 
trict in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. 

Iowa District, S. Dickover, presiding elder. Grandview 
Circuit, J. F. Schreiber ; Maquoketa and Dubuque Missions, J. 
Himmel and W. Uber ; Independence Mission, W. Kolb and C. 
Dimmer; Waterloo Mission, H. Hintze; Muscatine, I. Keiper. 

Kansas District, Levi Eberhart, presiding elder. Greencastle 
Mission, C. Tobias ; Ft. Des Moines Mission, A. Strohman ; 
Nebraska Mission, H. Kleinsorge; Franklin Mission (Kan.), 

C. Berner; Humbolt Mission (Kan.), R. Dubs. 

Owing to illness and other causes L. Eberhart, the presiding 
elder, did not visit Kansas until the Spring of 1861. On March 
26 he reached Levenworth, held a number of quarterly meetings, 
and licensed F. Delfelder on recommendation of the quarterly- 
conference. This was the first fruits for our ministry in Kansas. 

First Church in Kansas. — Brother R. Dubs, who served 
Humbolt Mission during this year, built a frame church, 24x36 
feet, at this place, which was finished at the close of the year. 

Note. — Many notable events occurred this year. Bright 
sunshine and dark shadows alternated in rapid succession. The 
first issues of the periodicals of this year were draped in mourn- 
ing for the death of Bishop Seybert, who was called to his 
reward on Jan. 4. 

"In ardor he led in the van of the host, 
And fell like a soldier — he died at his post." 

All the annual conferences passed suitable memorial resolu- 
tions. The Sunday-School and Tract Union was organized 
agreeably to the directions of the last General Conference, in 
the Salem Church, Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 10, and the constitu- 
tion published. The annual conferences subsequently organized 
themselves into auxiliary societies. The missionary interests 
were pushed with vigor. The Missionary Society at its annual 
meeting, held at Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 15, reported eighty- three 
missions, an increase of sixteen over the previous year. Urgent 
calls came from many quarters for missionaries, especially from 
the southwest. The society was fully alive to the promising op 
portunities, and exerted itself to the full ability of its resources 

1861. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Feb 
27. Bishop J. Long, president; J. Yeakel, secretary. J 
Schneider, located. M. Guhl was ordained elder. J. Kutz 

D. Yuengst, a. Saylor, T. Bowman, J. A. Apgar, J. Steltzer 



CONFERENCE RECOBDa. 331 

and H. Kletzing, deacons. J. K. Knerr was licensed on trial. 
W. Heim, R. Deisher were again, and J. Kurtz and I. E. 
Knerr, newly received into the itinerancy. S. Neitz resigned 
the office of presiding elder in order to write the biography of 
Bishop J. Seybert, and W. L. Reber was elected in his place. 

Districts : Philadelphia, G. T. Haines, presiding elder ; Le- 
high, W. L. Reber; Lebanon, F. Hoffman; Orwigsburg, L. 
Snyder. 

1861. Central Pa. Conference, Glen Rock, Pa., March 7. 
Bishop J. Long, president; J. Young, secretary. H. Broad- 
beck and John Frey (local), died. Ordained elders — S. Smith, 
Z. HoRNBERGER, J. W. Clair, J. Henn and D. W. Miller. 
Deacons — Prof. J. H. Leas, H. A. Dieterick, M. Walter, M. 
W. Harris, S. D. Bennington and A. Rearick. S. W. Seibert 
was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Baltimore, J. Young, presiding elder ; Centre, E. 
Kohr; Susquehanna, S. W. Seibert. 

1861. Pittsburg Conference, North Lima, Ohio, March 20. 
J. Long, president; C. Lindeman, secretary. Received into 
the itinerancy — J. Rank, P. W. Hahn, Robert Mott, J. D. 
HoLLiNGER, J. J. Bernhart and Prof. A. A. Smith. S. F. 
Crowther was ordained elder, and G. S. Domer, E. Peer, H. 
J. Bowman, D. Strayer and Wm. Smith, deacons. District 
ministerial meetings were recommended to be held upon every 
presiding elder district. 

Districts: Pittsburg, A. Stahle, presiding elder; Allegheny, 
J. Weikel; Cleveland, A. Niebel; Somerset, J. L. W. Seibert. 

1861. New York Conference, Syracuse, N. Y., April 11. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; J. D. Yenni, secretary. G. Clark, 
located. Jacob Kehr, died. A. Holzworth, J. Schmidt and 
H. Werner were received into the itinerancy. Ordained elders 
— S. Kopp, M. Pfitzinger, H. Weisel, T. Hauch, A. Spies, 
G. RoTT and S. Morley. Deacons — ^A. Miller, L. Wildfang, 
J. Kaechle, C. a. Thomas, A. Stoebe and G. F. Buesh. A 
resolution deprecating secret societies was adopted. 

Districts : Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder ; Buffalo, M. 
Lauer; Hamilton, J. D. Yenni; Waterloo, W. Schmidt. 

1861. Ohio Conference, Tabor Church, Carey, Ohio, May 
15. Bishop J. Long, president; J. P. Schnatz, secretary. 
Located — G. F. Behner, P. Wiest, J. G. Zinzer and J. Rosen- 
BERGER. J. Kanaga took credentials for another conference. 



332 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

Received into the itinerancy — L. Seither, Geo. Hasenpflug^ 
J. Frankhauser, C. Deike, J. Berk, D. H. Wonder, W. W. 
Morse and Jos. Felger. Ordained elder — E. B. Grouse. 
Deacons — W. Wonder, J. G. Bachman, T. George, H. Long- 
brake and J. Haldeman. George Haley was re-elected, and 
John Stoll newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Wayne, G. Haley, presiding elder; Scioto, J^ 
Stoll; Sandusky, D. Strohman; Michigan, C. A. Munk. 

1861. Illinois Conference, DesPlaines, 111., April lo. Bishop 
W. W. Orwig, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. Daniei^ 
Shreffler (local), died. Licensed on probation— C. Gock- 
STETTER, E. Wise and Michael Heyl. A. S. Heilman, ordained 
elder. H. H. Bair and A. Gockly, deacons. Lee Centre, EI 
Paso, Henry and Lockport Missions were established. The 
conference in union with the Wisconsin Conference resolved to 
establish an institution of learning at Plainfield. Agent for the 
same — ^J. J. Esher. Trustees for Illinois Conference — H. Ron- 
LAND, J. J. Esher, S. A. Tobias and C. Kopp, ministers, and 
J. DiLLMAN, M. Dice and E. Hartung, laymen. Received into 
the itinerancy — Jacob Himmel, D. B. Byers, Martin Stamm, 
C. Hummel, M. Heil, P. Hoffman, C. Gockstetter and 
Samuel Tobias. 

Districts : Chicago, H. Rohland, presiding elder ; Freeport,, 
H. Bucks; Peoria, S. A. Tobias. 

1861. Indiana Conference, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. i8. 
Bishop Orwig, president. Two brethren were ordained elders and 
four deacons. The conference united in the establishment of Plain- 
field College, and also supported fifteen missions during the year. 

Districts: Wabash, M. W. Steffy, presiding elder; White 
River, G. G. Platz; St. Joseph, J. Fisher. 

1861. Wisconsin Conference, Menomonee Falls, Wis.,- 
April 1 8. Bishop Orwig, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. 
G. A. Blank, (presiding elder), died. P. Feil, located. Re- 
ceived into the itinerancy — C. Finger, Peter Tenny, and E. 
Bockenmuehl. Ordained elder — P. Massuager. Deacons — F. 
Huelster, and Geo. Zelhoefer. La Cross, Beaverdam, Wau- 
kesha, and Waupaca Missions were established. C. A. Schnake 
was elected presiding elder. Conference concurred in the estab- 
lishment of Plainfield College, and elected seven trustees for the 
same. Resolutions condemning secret societies, intemperance, 
and the use of tobacco were adopted. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 333 

Districts : Milwaukee, J. G. Esher, presiding elder ; Madison, 
•C. A. Schnake. 

1861. Iowa Conference, first session, Grandview, Iowa, 
May 29. Bishop Orwig, president ; J. Keiper, secretary. F. 
Emde, and F. Berner were received on trial. Ordained Elders 
— C. Berner, H. Hurtze, Geo. Von Eshen, and J. Hammet- 
TER. Deacons — C. Lahr, J. Rahskoff, H. Kleinsorge, and 
Jos. BussARD. Jos. Bussard, F. Berner, F. Emde, C. Sauder, 
and A. Nierens were received into the itinerancy. L. Eberhart 
resigned the office of presiding elder and M. J, Miller was 
elected in his stead. Several Iowa appointments were detached 
rfrom Kansas District. The conference united in the Plainfield 
College project. 

Iowa District, S. Dickover, presiding elder, nine charges 
twelve preachers ; Minnesota District, I. Kuter, presiding elder, 
■eight charges and twelve preachers; Kansas District, M. J. 
Miller, presiding elder, four charges and six preachers. 

Notes. — The operations o f the church for this year are marked 
by a uniform measure of success. The breaking out of the Civil 
War occasioned the development of intense patriotism throughout 
the denomination, and editorials and communications of the church 
periodicals breathe an ardent spirit of loyalty. The Evangelical 
Messenger y editorially says, *'The Star Spangled Banner is 
proudly waving right over our office window with its thirty-four 
stars so arranged on their beautiful field of blue, as to constitute 
one large star, the same as the many states make one large na- 
tion, announcing to all passers by that we at headquarters are 
for the old flag and the glorious old union." 

The missionary interests continued to prosper. The Mis- 
sionary Society met in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 14. The number 
of missions reported was 98, an increase of 16 during the year. 
The missionaries, beyond the Mississippi River, labored with 
great fortitude and self-denial. The following extracts from 
communications of Presiding Elder M. J. Miller, illustrate the 
spirit of devotion to the cause of Christ, shown by the faithful 
missionaries : *^I made a round on the north end of this district, 
and found the Missionaries UBERaud Kleinsorge in good spirits 
and their mission in a prosperous condition. Bro. Uber has 
taken up a new appointment since conference, and on Thursday, 
^ug. 22, we will commence a camp-meeting on his (Holton) 
Mission. This will be the first German camp-meeting in Kansas. 



334 EVANOELICAL ASSOGIA TION ANIMALS. 

We will also hold one on Lawrence Mission, commencing Aug. 
29. * * * << The Council Bluifs Mission is a very extensive 
field of labor, and bids fair for the future, but we should have 
two men there. This mission extends from Council Bluffs north 
to Dakota Territory. I spent two Sabbaths with Bro. Klein- 
SORGE on the mission, aud was up north to Sioux City with him, 
where we held a quarterly meeting and had a precious season. 
But Bro., I tell you, this is an almost end/ess district, I traveled 
early and late from Monday morning, the i8th, till Monday even- 
ing, the 26th, in the following week to get home, a distance of 
330 miles. This trip takes me through six or seven Indian reser- 
vations, and unsettled prairies of from ten to twenty miles in 
length and width where there is not a single house to be seen, 
and were it not for the frequent springs and rivulets along the 
dim and wearisome tracks, both man and beast would pine away 
before reaching a settlement. I made 720 miles in the round, 
and must make this distance as often as I go to Council Bluifs.*' 

**I met with entertainment wherever I came. One night, 
however, I was entertained all alone, out on the open prairie. 
A piece of dry bread and three eggs, which I had with me, served 
for supper, and my buggy cushions and great coat for my bed, 
down in the grass by the side of my buggy. I had a far better 
time of it than in many of the small smothering cabins along the 
road, where bugs and fleas are your nightlong associates." Aug. 
20, 1861. 

**0n Council Bluff Mission the Lord gathered a little flock of 
faithful souls, and the prospects are good. * * Bro. Klein- 
SORGE is well and labors very dilligently on this mission. He 
travels frequently from forty to forty-five miles a day, and is 
content with a piece of dry bread for his dinner on the open 
prairie. * * * We held a camp-meeting on Holton and also- 
one on Lawrence Mission. At each we had four tents, about 
thirty members, one hundred hearers and five preachers. These 
meetings were much blessed, and a few souls were converted. 
It was refreshing to see our friends putting up their tents, con- 
sisting of wagon-covers, rails, etc., in the small grove. These 
were the first German camp-meetings in this large and thinly 
settled State. They were times of great encouragement to the 
preachers which we had missed for the last three years. The 
missionary cause was not forgotten at these meetings. After a 
missionary sermon by Bro. R. Dubs, $6$ was subscribed. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 335 

which was well done, considering the circumstances. Besides 
these subscriptions, a brother will give the half of a cow, and 
another a large ox to the cause. Ye missionary friends in the 
East, your noble gifts are bearing fruit in Kansas ! Soon we ex- 
pect also to have self-supporting fields of labor in the far away 
Kansas. The best of all is, souls are brought to the Saviour.'* 
Leavenworth, Sept. 21, 1861. 

At Grand View, Iowa, the first session of the Iowa Confer- 
ence was held. In 1852 a number of members emigrated from 
Dauphin county. Pa., and settled in that vicinity. Previous to 
their departure Bishop Seybert had promised to supply them 
with a preacher, which he did. In September a class was formed 
composed for the following members : George Gipple* and wife 
Mary, and children; J. Samuel, Margaret, Geo. W., and 
Mary ; Solomon Wagner and wife Susanna ; Jacob Snyder, 
and wife Catharine; Jos. Martin and wife Mary; James 
Shartzer, and wife Eliza ; John Snyder aud wife Susanna. 
Also three European Germans, F. Beik, Geo. Hahn and Chas. 
Wabnitz, with their wives. Geo. Gipple was class leader and 
Martin exhorter. The first Evangelical Church west of the 
Mississippi was dedicated here in 1856. 

1862. East Pa. Conference, Reading, Feb. 26. Bishop 
Orwig, president ; J. Koehl, secretary. Located — H. Kempfer, 
D. Hambright, H. Koester and T. Sebold. P. H. Lehr, 
withdrew. F. W. Walker took credentials. S. Neitz was 
elected presiding elder. A. Boetzel, J. Specht, and E. Butz, 
were ordained elders. S. S. Chubb, L. Smith, G. B. Fisher, 
C. Wolf, and W. Rodgers, deacons. Licensed on trial, W. 
Alsbach, B. F. Bohner, L. Miller, A. Scharf, S. Franken- 
FELD, S. Brown, A. Goetschel and D. Lentz. Received into 
the itinerancy, R. M. Lichtenwalner, C. K. Fehr, C. H. Baker 
and Seneca Breyfogel. 

Districts : Philadelphia, G. T. Haines ; Lehigh, W. L. Reber ; 
Lebanon, S. Neitz ; Orwigsburgh, L. Snyder. 

1862. Central Pa. Conference, Milheim, Pa. March 6. 
Bishop Orwig, president; C.F.Dininger, secretary. Located — 
Sloat, D. W. Miller, J. W. Clair, E. B. Wilson and D. 
Kreamer, the latter going West. Received in the traveling con- 
nection, F. C. Pandel, I. M. Pines, and A. Ettinger. Recom- 

*See "Fishing Creek Vally.', 



336 EVANOELICAL ASSOClATIOir ANNALS. 

mended to the Stationing Committee, F. Methfessel, C. W. 
Davis, A. Sommerville, W. H. Davis, and J. Y. Reed. Or- 
dained deacons — S. T. Buck, S. E. Davis, A. H. Irvine, F. C. 
Hoffman and J. M. McGaw. E. Kohr was elected presiding 
elder. ** Resolved, That henceforth we keep our conference 
records exclusively in the English language. " A strong resolu- 
tion favoring the government in its conduct of the war for the 
Union, was offered by M. J. Carothers, and adopted by the 
conference. 

Districts : Baltimore, E. Kohr ; Centre, J. Young ; Susque- 
hanna, S. W. Seibert. The conference statistics were not pub- 
lished this year. 

1862. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., April 30. 
Bishop Orwig, president ; T. G. Clewell, secretary. John 
Geisse (local) died. S. Vandersal was licensed. Received 
in the itinerancy, S. Vandersal. A. Loehner, John Domer, 
T. Monasmith, W. Summers, and W. Hammer. H. J. Bow- 
man, received credentials to go to the Iowa Conference. Or- 
dained elders, J. Reams and G. W. Reisinger. Deacons, M. 
H. Shannon and J. Q. A. Weller. G. W. Cupp and S. B. 
Kring were elected to the office of presiding elder. 

District : Pittsburg, J. L. W. Seibert, presiding elder ; Cleve- 
land, G. W. Cupp ; Allegheny, A. Niebel; Somerset, S. B. Kring. 

1862. Ohio Conference, Sandusky City, Ohio, May 14. 
Bishop Orwig, president; L. Scheurman, secretary. H. Sichley 
and P. FoLTZ were licensed. J. Rosenberger, H. Sichley, J. 
Dick and H. Faus were received into the itinerancy. C. Gabel 
died. H. Cover, J. G. Theuer, J. Berk and C. Thomas 
located. J. J. Kopp was permitted to rest a year. E. Boyer 
received credentials. Ordained deacons,' J. W. Walkey, S. 
Henny, C. H. Lindner, J. Meck, L. Seiter and H. Faus. 
Elders, F. Zeller, D. Heininger, J. M. Haug, F. R. Totheroh 
and Andrew Swartz. 

Districts: Wayne, Geo. Haley, presiding elders ; Scioto, John 
Stoll ; Sandusky, C. A. Munk ; Michigan, D. Strohman. 

1862, New York Conference, Morristown, Canada, April 
10. Bishop W. W. Orwig, president; P. Alles, secretary. G. 
Schmidt and P. Alles, located. J. H. Fisher was licensed. 
G. Eckard, F. Hehr, J. Sechrist, D. Moose, C. G. Curiis, 
C. Shoepflein, J. G. Stetter, J. H. Fisher and W. Wittington 
were received into the traveling connection. F. Lohmeyer was 



CONFEBENUE BEC0BD8. 337 

ordained elder, and C. Boller deacon. Elmira and Batavia 
Missions were established. S. Weber was elected presiding 
elder. 

Districts : Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder ; Buffalo, M. 
Lauer; Hamilton, J. D. Yenni ; Waterloo, S. Weber. 

1862. Illinois Conference, Peoria, 111., April lo. Bishop 
J.Long, president; J. J. Esher, secretary. Noah McLehn 
located. J. Kanaga, of the Ohio, W. F. Walker, of the East 
Pa., D. Kramer, of the Central Pa. Conference, and H. W. 
Crandall, p. Himmel, and J. M. SiNDLiNGERwere received into 
the itinerancy. H. Holdridge was licensed. J. Kleinknecht, 
W. Goessele, E. VonFreeden and D. B. Byers were ordained 
elders, and C. Ott, H. Messner, H. Shoemaker, and J. Him- 
mel deacons. J. J. Esher resigned as agent of Plainfield Col- 
lege and S. A. Tobias was elected to the same. H. Bucks and 
S. A. Tobias resigned the office of presiding elder, and C. Klopp, 
C. Hummel and C. Augenstein were elected to the same. The 
conference passed strong resolutions in favor of the Union, and 
in support of the Government of the United States. 

Districts: Chicago, C. Hummel, presiding elder; Naperville, 
C.Kopp; Freeport, H. Rohland ; Peoria, C. Augenstein. 

1862. Wisconsin Conference, Madison, April 24. Bishop 
J. Long, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. M. Hauert 
and P. Yenni located. Received into the itinerancy, William 
Horn, F. Zimmerman, P. Speich, M. Wittenwiler, L. Strobel 
and G. Schwartz of the German Reformed Church. Ordained 
elders, W. F. Schneider, G. Fritsche, N. Schuck and J. 
Banshaf. Deacons, E. Shultz and H. Hammetter. Strong 
pro-union resolutions were adopted. William Zickerick, one 
of the itinerants, joined the army in defence of his country. 

Districts: Milwaukee, J. G. Esher, presiding elder; Madison, 
C. A. Schnake. 

1862. Indiana Conference, East Germantown, Ind., Sept. 
18. Bishop J. Long, president ; M. Mayer, secretary. Located 
P. Burgner, p. Bretsch, P. Swilley and F. Geisel. D. S. 
Oaks, P. Thornton and A. Dassel were received into the 
itinerancy. M. Klaiber, J. Hoffman, J. Paulin, and E. Kip- 
plinger were ordained elders, and M. Speck and J. Kipplin- 
GER, deacons. Strong pro-union resolutions were adopted. 
Catechetical classes, 13. 



338 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Districts : Wabash, M. W. Steffey, presiding elder ; White 
River, G. G. Plantz ; St. Joseph, J. Fisher. 

1862. Iowa Conference, Grand View, Iowa, May 8. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; R. Dubs, secretary. The work of the Lord 
advanced wonderfully in this conference during the year, and 
the following new missions were established, Ft. Dodge, Fontenac, 
Menomonee, Crow River, New Ulm, Painsville, and Decorah. 
The conference embraced, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Ne- 
braska. 

Note. — In August the Sioux Indians of Minnesota rebelled 
against the Government, and committed the most horrible out- 
rages, devastating with fire and tomahawk many of the most pros- 
perous settlements. They began their outrages Aug. i8, at the 
Sioux agency in Brown county And continued for many days, until 
nearly one thousand white men, women and children were 
slaughtered, and many women carried away to meet a fate more 
horrible than death. In this terrible slaughter almost one hun- 
dred of our Evangelical members were slain on New Ulm and 
Ft. Ridgley Missions. At Crow River two of our heroic mis- 
sionaries fell at their posts at the hands of the savages. Rev. 
Le Seder, of New Ulm Mission, preached Aug. 17, about twenty 
miles northwest of Ft. Ridgley, where there was an Evangelical 
society of over seventy members. The following day he was 
killed, with nearly all our members there. He left a widow and 
three children. Rev. A. Nerenz, of Crow River Mission, es- 
caped the first attack of the savages and returned home Sept. i, 
and the following day was killed in a shocking manner. He 
also left a wife and three children. 

1863* East Pa. Conference, Millersburg, Dauphin county. 
Pa., Feb. 25. Bishop W. W. Orwig, president; J. Koehl, sec- 
retary. J. Frey and Joseph Gross, located. C. Loose was 
again, and C. B. Fliehr, and D. Lentz were newly received in- 
to the itinerancy. T. Bowman, J. Steltzer, D. Yingst, were 
ordained elders, and J. Kurtz, S. K. Fehr, R. M. Leichten- 
walner, C. B. Fliehr, I. E. Knerr, Seneca Breyfgoel and 
J. C. Bliem, deacons. W. L. Reber resigned the office of pre- 
siding elder, and Jesse Yeakel was elected in his place. Res- 
olutions favoring the Union and upholding the Government were 
adopted, and the editors of our church periodicals were endorsed. 

Districts: Philadelphia, G. T. Haines, presiding elder; Le- 
high, J. Yeakel; Lebanon, S. Neitz ; Orwigsburg, L. Snyder. 



CONFERENCE EEC0RD8, 339 

1863* Central Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 5. Bishop 
W. W. Orwig, president; Jacob Hartzler, secretary. Noah 
DiEBLER, located. I. Y. Reed, W. H. Davis, T. M. Morris, 
F. Methfessel, W. E. Detwiler and Josiah Bowersox were 
received into the itinerancy. P. H. Rishel, F. Kurtz and W. 
Reeser were recommended to the presiding elders for work. 
Jacob Hartzler was elected traveling agent for Union Semi- 
nary. Ordained elders — A. Rearick, H. A. Dietrick, M. 
Walter and M. W. Harris. Deacon — D. L. Sutton. 

Districts: Baltimore, E. Kohr, presiding elder; Centre, J. 
Young; Susquehanna, S. W. Seibert. 

1863. Pittsburg Conference, Salem Church, Stark county, 
Ohio, April 9. Bishop Joseph Long, president; J. L. W. Sei- 
bert, secretary. The conference passed strong Union resolu- 
tions, and called upon all ministers and members to defend by 
word and doctrine our assailed Government in public and pri- 
vate, according to the teachings of St. Paul, Rom. xiii. 1-7 and 
Tim. ii. 1-3. None of the Virginia charges were supplied by 
the conference. 

Districts: Pittsburg, J. L. W. Seibert, presiding elder; Cleve- 
land, A. Niebel; Allegheny, G. W. Cupp; Somerset, S. B. 
Kring. 

1863. New York Conference, Niagara City, N. Y., April 
9. Bishop W. W. Orwig, president ; M. Lehn, secretary. The 
sum of ;^i,iii was raised at this conference for missionary pur- 
poses. Some forty preachers were present, and a comparatively 
small congregation. President Lincoln was made an honorary 
member of the Board of Missions, by the payment of ^50, raised 
for that purpose. This being done, a Canadian brother pro- 
posed Queen Victoria for the same membership, and a like 
amount of money was raised for that purpose. 

1863. Ohio Conference, Bettsville, Seneca county, Ohio, 
May 21. Bishop Joseph Long, president; J. G. Zinzer, sec- 
retary. Located — Jacob Shaeffer, D. Heininger and D. 
SwARTz. Licensed — A. Rex, J. Stover, L. Nauman, H. K. 
Rea, J. Cramin and C. Knisley. Ordained elders — H. Long- 
brake, J. G. Baughman, T. George, William Wonder and C. 
Deike. Deacons — Joseph Felger, D. H. Wonder, George 
Hasenpflug, J. Frankhauser, Joseph Pontius, D. Rohland 
and J. Borough. G. F. Spreng was elected presiding elder. 
There were nineteen applicants for the itinerancy, of whom 



340 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

eleven were received. Resolutions were passed sustaining the 
Government and approving the Emancipation Proclamation. 

''Whereas, The future prosperity of our Zion makes it ne- 
cessary that the English language should be actively encouraged, 
and not only tolerated; and, Whereas, We have a lively appre- 
ciation of the importance of a wholesome literature to the pros- 
perity of our Church ; therefore. 

Resolved, That this conference respectfully requests our next 
General Conference, and does hereby instruct our delegates to 
that body, so to labor, and to vote that in our Board of Publi- 
cation there be a fitting representation in future of the English 
interests of our Church ; hoping that by these means we shall be 
enabled to offer our English people such desirable works, as for 
example, 'The Life and Labors of Bishop Seybert,' as near as 
may be simultaneously with the German." 

Districts: Wayne, George Haley, presiding elder; Scioto, 
John StoU; Sandusky, G. F. Spreng; Michigan, D. Strohman. 

1863. Illinois Conference, Frecport, 111., April 9. Bishop 
J. Long, president; G. W. Lechler, secretary. Located, H. 
Bucks and J. Kanaga. Withdrew from the Church — J. P. 
Kramer and H. W. Crandall. Licensed — L. B. Tobias and 
H. Keller. Received into the itinerancy— B. C. Wagoner, 
J. G. Miller and L. B. Tobias. Ordained elders — A. Gackle 
and H. H. Bair. Deacons — M. Stamm, P. Hoffman, C. 
Gagstetter, Michael Heil, S. McKesson and Prof. A. A. 
Smith. President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was 
endorsed. "Resolved, That we declare ourselves uncondition- 
ally in favor of the Union and the enforcement of the laws." 

Districts : Chicago, C. Hummel, presiding elder; Naperville, 
C. Kopp; Freeport, H. Rohland; Peoria, C. Augenstein. 

S. A. Tobias, agent for Plainfield College. 

1863. Indiana Conference, Marshall, Ind., Sept. 9. Bishop 
W. W. Orwig, president; M. Hoehn, secretary. Died — A. 
Dassel, J. Gruenisen and D. Garl. P. Thornton, located. 
E. KoHLMAYER and H. L. Fisher were received into the itiner- 
ancy. J. Kauffman, C. Shomo and G. Zimmer were employed 
by the presiding elder. Ordained elders — E. Evans, J. M. 
Gomer and R. Roth. Deacons — G. Schmoll and H. L. Fisher. 
Elected presiding elders — M. W. Steffey, J. Fisher and M. 
Hoehn. The cause of the Union was sustained and the Eman- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 341 

cipation Proclamation endorsed. All the preachers ^received their 
salary in full. 

Districts: Wabash, M. Hoehn, presiding elder ; "White River, 
J. Fisher; St. Joseph, M. W. Steifey. 

1863. Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee, Wis., April 23. 
Bishop Joseph Long, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. C. 
Miller was licensed. F. Kauffman was received into the itin- 
erancy. Ordained elders — F. Huelster and G. Zoellhoefer. 
Deacons — C. Finger, E. Bockemuehl, G. Yahn and M. Zick- 
ERiCK. J. G. Miller united with the Illinois Conference. J. G. 
EsHER resigned the office of presiding elder, and H. Huelster 
was elected in his place. Sheboygan, Sharon, New Glarus and 
Oconto Missions were formed. The loyalty of the conference 
to the Government was reaffirmed. 

Districts: Milwaukee, H. Huelster, presiding elder; Madi- 
son, C. A. Schnake. 

1863* Iowa Conference, Lisbon, Iowa, May 7. Bishop J. 
Long, president; R. Dubs, secretary. L. Seder and A. Nierens 
died (killed by the savages — see previous year). Received into 
the itinerancy — E. Wise, E. Bowman, S. W. McKesson, W. 
Geiss and L. H. German. Ordained elders — H. Kleinsorge, 
J. Buzzard, J. Rahskoff, C. Lahr and C. Tobias. Deacons 
— J. F. Berner and F. Emde. R. Dubs, general agent for Plain- 
field College. Memorial resolutions were adopted on the death 
of the brethren, slain by the savages. President Lincoln^s 
Emancipation Proclamation was endorsed. 

Districts: Iowa, S. Dickover, presiding elder, six missions, 
four circuits and twelve itinerants; Minnesota, I. Kuter, nine 
missions, three circuits and fifteen itinerants; Kansas, M. J, 
Miller, eight missions and nine itinerants. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



Thirteenth General Conference, Held at Buffalo, N. Y., 
Oct. I-20, 1863. 

1863. General Conference, thirteenth session, Buffalo, N. 
Y., Oct. 1-20. Bishops J. Long, W. W. ORWioandJ. J. Esher 
presiding ; secretary, Jesse Yeakel, assistants, R. Dubs, J. G. 
Zinzer and C. A. Schnake. On motion of Bro. Niebel, it was 
resolved that Father John Dreisbach, the only living colaborer 
of the Founder of the Church, was requested to address the con- 
ference, which he did. After this the bishops delivered the first 
regular episcopal message in the history of the Association. 
The country at this time was passing through the most critical 
period of the Great Civil War. The General Conference ac- 
cordingly took steps to express itself on the great issues which 
then hung trembling in the balance. A committee was ap- 
pointed consisting of one delegate from each conference, to give 
expression to the views of the Church on the great questions of 
the day. The report, which is too lengthy for insertion in this 
work, is the very embodiment of loyalty and patriotic devo- 
tion to the cause of the Union. It recognizes the hand of 
God in the emancipation of the slaves, the recent triumph of the 
Union arms, endorses the Government, praises the bravery and 
self-sacrificing spirit of the National troops, and exhorts the 
ministry and laity of the entire Church to fidelity, obedience, and 
prayerful interests. 

Three new conferences were formed, viz : The Canada, 
Michigan, and Kansas, and a mission was established on the 
Pacific coast. 

An English Sunday-School paper, to be called the Sunday- 
School Messenger y was established. 

Bishop Joseph Long was re-elected, and J. J. Esher was newly 
elected to the office of bishop. W. W. Orwig, was newly elected 
editor of the Christ lie he Botschafter, T. G. Clewell was re- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 343 

elected editor of the Evangelical Messenger. R. Yeakel, editor 
of Sunday-School and Tract Literature. C. Hammer, General 
Book Agent. Wm. Yost, Corresponding Secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society. 

The following rules were adopted for the conduct of the 
Christliche Botschafter and Evangelical Messenger. 

1. Resolved, Thsit onr-psLipeTS, the CAris/licke Bolsc/iafler and 
Evangelical Messenger, shall be conducted in accordance with 
the spirit of the Holy Scriptures and our Church Discipline, and 
that all subjects discussed in the same, shall be treated from a 
throughly Christian, and with the Church Discipline of the 
Evangelical Association harmonizing standpoint, and shall al- 
ways have in view the glory of God, the spread of his knowledge, 
and aim at promoting the general welfare of mankind, in their 
moral, religious and civil relations. 

2. Resolved, That our papers shall watch over, advocate, and 
defend all the various interests of the Evangelical Association ; 
and shall also publish all proceedings of the General and An- 
nual Conferences, of the Missionary Society, or the Board of 
Publication, and other official documents, when such are offered 
in official form for publication, without mispresenting the sense 
by abbreviation. 

3. Resolved, That all well written communications, composed 
according to the spirit of the foregoing resolutions, shall be im- 
partially treated ; and in all controversies and discussions of 
said nature, each party shall have equal rights, and allowed to 
speak at least twice through the papers. — General Conference 
Journal, page 34. 

A rule was introduced that in case a bishop^s time expires, 
and he is not re-elected. General Conference shall make pro- 
vision for his employment and support, in accordance with the 
rules for our preachers. — Page 45. 

A motion prevailed that a presiding elder be elected, who 
shall have charge of the missions in Germany. To this office 
S. Neitz was almost unanimously elected. To the great regret 
of the conference he however resigned the office the following 
day, because of temporal and family circumstances. J. G. 
WoLLPERT was elected. 

Delegates. — East Pa. Conference. — S. Neitz, G. L. Haines, 
J. Yeakel, L. Snyder, J. P. Leib, F. Hoffman, S. G. Rhoads, 
F. Krecker, C. Meyers, H. Stoetzel and J. Koehl. 



I 



344 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Central Pa. Conference. — E. Kohr, J. Young, S. W. Seibert, 
M. J. Carothers, J. M. Young, C. F. Deininger, A. L. Reeser 
and L. May. 

Pittsburg Conference. — C. Lindemen, J. L. W. Seibert, A. 
Niebel, S. B. Kring, J. Rank, A. Stahley and J. G. Pfeuffer. 

Illinois Conference. — C. Kopp, C. Augenstein, S. A. Tobias, 

E. Musselman, C. Hummel, H. Rohland, J. Schaffle, J. J. Esher 
and J. Schneider. 

Wisconsim Conference. — J. G. Esher, C. A. Schnake, L. 
Buehler and H. Huelster. 

Indiana Conference. — M. W. Steffey, G. G. Platz, M. Hoehn, 
A. B. Shaefer, J. Fisher and J. Fuchs. 

Iowa Conference. — S. Dickover, J. Kuter, R. Dubs and J. 
Keiper. 

New York Conference. — M. Lauer, M. Lehn, L. Jacoby; J. 
D. Jenni, S. Weber and A. Herlan. 

Ohio Conference. — J. Stull, D. Strohman, G. F. Spreng, G. 
Haley, J. G. Zinzer, L, Scheurman, John Dreisbach, C. M. 
Reinhold, C. A. Munk, J. Waltz and F. Freeh. 

1864. East Pa. Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 25. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; F. Krecker, secretary. John 
Klinefelter died. W. L. Reber, L. Schmidt, R. Litzen- 
BERGER and W. H. Bachman, located. Lincensed on trial, J. 

F. Yerger, a. H. Overholt, and H. Guelich. Received in 
the itinerancy — B. F. Bohner, S. B. Brown, A. Goetschel and 
D. Z. Kembel. Ordained elders — S. S. Chubb, T. Harper 

G. B. Fisher, C. H. Baker, and J. A. Apgar. Beacons — D. 
Lentz. G. T. Haines and L. Snyder were re-elected to the 
office of presiding elder. An English mission was located in 
Philadelphia. M. Guhl was appointed as a missionary to the 
Pacific Coast by the Board of Missions. 

Districts : Philadelphia, L. Snyder, presiding elder ; Lehigh, 
J. Yeakel ; Lebanon, S. Neitz ; Orwigsburg, G. T. Haines. 

1864. Central Pa. Conference, Lewisburg, Pa., March 3. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; J. Young, secretary. Licensed to 
preach — J. Wilhelm, J. Manbeck, J. G. M. Swengel, and S. 
Yearick. Received into the itinerancy — D. W. Miller, J. G. 
M. Swengel, H. W. Buck, P. H. Rishel and W. Reeser. Or- 
dained elders — S. T. Buck, A. H. Irvine, S. E. Davis and S. 
D. Bennington. Deacons — I. M. Pines, W. H. Davis, D. F. 
Methfessel, F. C. Pandal, I. Y. Reed, and T. M. Morris. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 345 

S. W. Seibfrt resigned the office of presiding elder, and S. 
Wolf was elected to the same. C. F. Deininger was appointed 
a missionary to the Pacific coast by the Board of Missions. A 
mission was established in Washington, D. C, to which Jacob 
Henn was appointed. Rev. S. T. Buck joined the war for the 
Union during the conference year. F. Kurtz took credentials 
for the Wisconsin Conference. 

Districts: Baltimore, E. Kohr, presiding elder; Centre, J. 
M. Young ; Susquehanna, S. Wolf. 

1864. Pittsburg Conference, Erie, Pa., March i6. Bisliop 
J. Long, president ; J. L. W. Seibert, secretary ; S. Lerch, 
died. H. W. Hampe, located. D. S. Poling was received into 
the itinerancy. M. H. Shannon was ordained elder, and J. D. 
Domer, T. Monismith, S. Vandersal, C. W. Davis, H. B. 
Summers, C. F. Hartung, and C. Stauffer, deacons. J. L, 
W. Seibert was re-elected, and G. S. Domer newly elected 
presiding elder. Resolutions were passed re-affirming the loyalty 
of the conference to the Union, etc. 

Districts : Erie, S. B. Kring, presiding elder ; Pittsburg, J, 
L. W. Seibert ; Alleghany, G. W. Cupp ; Somerset, G. S. Domer. 

1864* New York Conference, Utica, N. Y., April 14. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. J. 
Stabler and L. Wildfang, located. Wm. Schwand, R. Clark 
and L. Rothermel, were received into the itinerancy. C. F. 
Boller was ordained elder, and C. A. Wiseman, H. Fisher, 

C. Schoepflein, and H. Werner, deacons. M. Lehn was 
newly elected and L. Jacoby re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : New York Conference, Albany, M. Lehn ; Buffalo, 
L. Jacoby. Canada Conference, Waterloo, S. Weber ; Hamil- 
ton, F. Herlan. 

1864, Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 14. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; J. W. Lechler, secretary. Located — 

D. B. Byers, G. Fleisher, D. Kramer, C. Hummel, H. H. 
Bear, T. M. Young and J. Lutz. Received into the itinerancy 
— S. DiCKOVER, George Vetter, L. Keller, L. William, J. 
Kuegel, L. Tobias, B. Ruh, J. Dunlap and L. H. Eiterman. 
Ordained elders — C. Ott, H. Shoemaker and H. Messner. 
Deacons — J. C. Kuest and B. C. Wagoner. E. Musselman 
and J. Schafle were elected presiding elders. It was made the 
duty of each presiding elder to hold district ministerial meetings, 



^46 EVANGELICAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

and the preachers were made amenable to conference for non- 
attendance. Pro-Union resolutions were again adopted. 

Districts: Chicago, C. Augenstein, presiding elder; Naper- 
ville, C. Kopp; Freeport, E. Musselman; Peoria, J. Schafle. 

1864. Ohio Conference, Carey, Ohio, May 5. Bishop J. 
Long, president; J. G. Zinzer, secretary. Benjamin Bixler, 
died. J. RosENBERGER, L. Seiter, W. W. Morse and S. Swartz, 
located. John Gillhausen, E. E. Turner, C. Frillman and 
D. Sherrick were licensed. Received into the itinerancy — C. 
Roehm, a. Wehr, p. Wiest and D. Rohland. J. M. Fuchs 
was employed by the presiding elder. Ordained elders — J. W. 
Walkey, C. H. Lindner, S. Henny, J. Meck, H. Faus and L. 
Seither. Deacons — L. C. Morse, G. Schott, H. F. Sichley, 
A. Wehr and W. W. Morse. C. M. Reinhold was elected 
presiding elder. It was resolved to establish an Orphan Home. 
District meetings were ordered to be held, and the preachers 
shall be held accountable to conference for non-attendance of 
the same. B. Hoffman, J. Ressler and J. Rosenberger took 
credentials to unite with other conferences. 

Districts: Cleveland, G. Haley, presiding elder; Sandusky, 
C. M. Reinhold; Scioto, J. Stoll ; Wayne, G. F. Spreng; Mich- 
igan Conference, Detroit, D. Strohman ; St. Joseph (unsup- 
plied). 

1864. Wisconsin Conference, Lomira Centre, Wis., April 
28. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; W. F. Schneider, secre- 
tary. H. Esch and J. G. Esher, located. F. Stroebel and 
W. Pfefferkorn, were licensed. Received into the itinerancy 
— C. Ragatz, G. Von Eschen, C. Laehr, G. Fleisher, F. 
Kurtz, Wm. Huelster, C. Mueller, W. Pfefferkorn and 
F. Stroebel. Ordained elders — E. Shultz, J. W. Hammeter, 
and G. Schwautes. Deacons — W. Horn, L. Stroebel, 
M. Wittenweiler, p. Speich, F. Kauffman, F. Zimmerman 
and A. Huelster was elected presiding elder. 

Districts, Milwaukee; H. Huelster, presiding elder, Fon Du 
Lac, C. A. Schnake ; Madison, A. Huelster. 

1864. Iowa Conference, Dubuque, Iowa, May 13. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; R. Dubs, secretary. Received on pro- 
bation — C. Esher, C. Warner and J. Shearer. Received into 
the itinerancy — J. Shearer, C. Esher, William Kolb, J. Von 
Eschen, J. Bauman, P. Fricker and J. Nuhn. Ordained elders 
— C. Brill, W. Uber and C. Sanders. Deacons — H. Hol- 



CONFERENCE RECORDa. 34.7 

DREDGE, E. Bauman and H. Bunse. R. Dubs, H. Lageschulte 
and J. Hammeter were elected presiding elders. A new mission 
was established in northwest Missouri, and also in western Kan- 
sas. The loyalty of the conference to the Union was reaffirmed. 

Districts : Des Moines, R. Dubs, presiding elder; Dubuque, 
H. Lageschulte; St. Paul, J. Hammeter; Kansas Conference 
District, M. J. Miller. Charges in Kansas — Leavenworth and 
Lawrence, J. F. Schreiber; Humboldt, P. Fricker; Holton, S. 
W. McKesson; Argo and Rockport, C. Berner and J. Shearer; 
West Kansas Mission, to be supplied. 

1864» Indiana Conference, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 8. 
J. J. EsHER, president ; M. Meyer, secretary. P. Swartz died. 
L. KoHLMAYER and W. Buckman located. Licensed — A. Parker, 
G. CuTTLER, M. BoYER, C. Brown, M. Condo, J. Beck and 
John Berger. Received into the itinerancy — C. Shamo, J. 
Kaufman, A. Parker, G. Zimmer, J. Berger, J. Beck, M. 
Condo, C. Heim, B. Hoffman and J. Rosenberger. G. A. 
Hertel was ordained elder and S. K. Oaks, C. Heim and C. 
Frillman deacons. A. Nicolai was elected presiding elder. 
Resolutions expressive of continued loyalty to the Union were 
adopted. 

Districts : Wabash, M. Hoehn, presiding elder; White River, 
J. Fisher; St. Joseph, M. W. Steffey ; Michigan Conference Dis- 
trict, A. Nicolai. 

Note. — The year 1864 was an eventful one in the history of the 
Church. Notwithstanding the ravages of Civil War, the interests 
of the Church were not only maintained, but substantial advance- 
ment was made. The activity of the Church will be best meas- 
ured by a reference to her missionary operations. In 1863 the 
missionary society supported 106 missions; in 1864, 117 ; again 
of eleven. This year three missionaries were sent to found our 
Evangelical work on the Pacific slope, viz. ; C. F. Deininger, 
J. Croasman and M. Guhl, and also John Waltz as an addi- 
tional missionary to Germany. One feature of importance was 
the great number of churches built during this and several pre- 
ceding years. This was chiefly owing to the unprecedented 
development of the great Trans-Mississippi country. 

1865. East Pa. Conference, AUentown, Pa. , Feb. 22. Bishop 
J. Long, president; S. G. Rhoads, secretary I. Shugar died. 
George Focht took credentials for the West. O. L. Say- 
LOR, L. N. Worman, W. W. Rhoads, J. C. Hornberger, J. N. 



348 EYANQELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

Metzgar, J. Laros, L. Kolb, A. Leopold and D. Yeakel were 
licensed on trial. J. Fry and D. Hambright were again and 
W. H. Weidner, L. Worman, J. N. Metzgar, A. H. Overholt, 
J. C. HoRNBERGER, A. LEOPOLD and B. Mover were newly 
received into the itinerancy. Ordained elders — C. K. Fehr, 
R. M. LicHTENWALNER, L E. Knerr,C. B. Fliehr, J. Kurtz and 
Seneca Breyfogel. Deacons — D. Z. Kembel,W. H. Weidner, 
B. F. BoHNER, A. GoETSCHEL, G. Harm and G. Focht. 

Districts : Philadelphia, L. Snyder, presiding elder ; Lehigh, 
J. Yeakel; Lebanon, S. Neitz; Orwigsburg, G. T. Haines. 

1865. Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 2. 
Bishop J. Long, president; J.Young, secretary. Philip Smith 
died. H. A. Stoke was received into the itinerancy. J. H. 
Leas and F. C. Hoffman were ordained elders, and J. Bowersox, 
W. E. Detwiler, p. H. Rishel and M. Sloat deacons. A. L. 
Reeser and J. M. McGraw located. Jacob Hartzler was 
elected collector for the Washington, D. C, church. 

Districts: Baltimore, E. Kohr, presiding elder; Centre, J. 
M. Young; Susquehanna, S. Wolf. 

1865. Pittsburg Conference, Allegheny City, March 8. 
Bishop J. Long, president; J. D. Hollinger, secretary. J. 
Hane and William Mauk (local preachers) died. The latter 
fell in battle. A. Niebel, G. W. Fisher, C. Stauffer and C. 
Lindeman were granted credentials for western conferences. J. 
Spotts was granted license. J. Q. A. Weller, J. H. Shafer, 
William Stoll and George Focht received appointments. J. D. 
Hollinger, J. J. Barnhart and R. Mott were ordained elders 
and S. LowRY and William Stoll deacons. Rochester and 
Johnstown were constituted missions. Rev.*^T. Monismith en- 
tered the army for the Union. 

Districts : Pittsburg, J. L. W. Seibert, presiding elder ; Erie, 
S. B. Kring; Allegheny, G. W. Cupp; Somerset, G. S. Domer. 

1865. New York Conference, Rochester, N.Y., March 30. 
Bishop J. Long, president; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. A.Klein 
was again and A. Lusher and H. Graves were newly received 
into the itinerancy. J. Sechrist, D. Moose, A. Holzwarth 
and C. G. Curtis were ordained elders, and J. Lerch deacon. 
L. Jacoby resigned the office of presiding elder and D. Fisher 
was elected to the same. J. Grenzenb.\ch died during the year. 
All the preachers reported full salary. 

Districts: Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder; Buffalo, D.Fisher. 



CONFEBEirCE RECORDS, 349 

1865. Canada Conference, Berlin, Can., April 6. Bishop 
J. Long, president; G. F. Buesh, secretary. William Witting- 
TON was granted credentials for the Ohio Conference. G. Brown, 
C. Steuernagel and J. Ingram were licensed on trial. W. 
WiTTiNGTON was ordained elder, and G. Leaf and William 
ScHWAND deacons. 

Districts : Waterloo, S. Weber, presiding elder ; Hamilton, 
Frederick Herlan. 

1865. Illinois Conference, Washington, 111., April 27. Bishop 
J. Long, president; G. W. Lechler, secretary. S. A. Tobias 
and J. DuNLAP located. Val Forkel was licensed. Received 
into the itinerancy — Abraham Niebel,C. Hummel, H. Bucks, V. 
Forkel, F. Steubig, J. G. Esher and C. Lindeman. Ordained 
elders — M. Stamm, P. Hoffman, C. Gagstetter and M. Heyl. 
Deacons — L. B.Tobias, Peter Himmel, William Fight and A. 
AVagoner. E. Musselman resigned the office of presiding elder 
and S. Dickover was elected to the same. H. Rohland was 
elected agent for Northwestern College. Prof. J. H. Lease was 
received into conference in the same relation he sustained in the 
Central Pa. Conference. 

Districts: Chicago, C. Augenstein, presiding elder; Peoria, 
J. Shafle; Naperville, C. Kopp; Freeport, S. Dickover. 

1865. Ohio Conference, Tiffin, O., May 4. G. F. Spreng, 
president; J. G. Zinzer, secretary. M. Wonder and H. Hen- 
sel died. J. Honecker, C. A. Munk, H. Faus and P. Wiest 
located. Licensed on trial- — D. Stoll, S. Hippert, J. Brown, J. 
Jauch, a. S. Hallowell, J. Kuenzeli, F. Kuenzeli,W. Koenig, 
G. Blasser, J. McIntyre, C. W. Gray, J. Lawrence and S. 
Copley. Received into the itinerancy — W. Wittington, C. 
Weiss, W. Koenig, G. F. Behner, J. Kuenzeli and A. S. Hal- 
owell. H. Frillman and Daniel Brickley withdrew from the 
Church. Ordained elders — D. H. Wonder, J. Frankhouser, 
J. Felger, J. K. Pontius and G. Hasenpflug. Deacons — C. 
Ehrhart, L. Nauman, A. Decker, C.Kuinzeli, J. Seigrist, 
O. H. Rhea, C. Bishop and L. Mover. J. Stoll was re-elected 
presiding elder. The districts were reduced to three. 

Districts: Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder; San- 
dusky, J. Stoll; Scioto, C. Reinhold. 

1865. Wisconsin Conference, Menomonee Falls, Wis., May 
4. Bishop J. Long, president; W. F. Schneider, secretary. 
G. Schaefer died. Joseph Harlacher joined the Iowa Con- 



350 EVANOELIGAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

ference. T. Umbreit, H. Assman and F. Moser were licensed 
on trial. E. Bockemuehl and C. F. Finger were ordained 
elders and F. Kurtz deacons. J. Koch, T. Umbreit, H. Gue- 
LicH and J. Karcher were received into the itinerancy. L. 
BuEHLER was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Milwaukee, H. Huelster, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, A. Huelster; Fon du Lac, L. Buehler. 

1865. Iowa Conference, East Prairie, Minn., May 12. 
Bishop J. Long, president; J. Hammeter, secretary. Anton 
Huelster and C. W. Anthony were licensed on trial. Joseph 
Harlacher, Anton Huelster, J. Smith and C. W. Anthony 
were received into the itinerancy. Joseph Raskoff removed to 
the Kansas Conference. J. F. Berner and F. Emde were 
ordained elders, and W. Gies, J. Nuhn, L. H. Gehman, E.Weis, 
J. Von Eschen and J. Smith deacons. Conference provided 
tombstones for the brethren slain by the Indians in 1862. 

Districts : Des Moines, R. Dubs, presiding elder; Dubuque, 
H. Lageschulte; St. Paul, J. Hammeter. 

1865. Michigan Conference, first annual session, Blissfield, 
Mich., April 12. Bishop J. Long, president; J. Meck, secre- 
tary. D. C. Rohland located. Wm. Reinecke was licensed. 
J. M. FucHS and H. B. McBride were received into the itin- 
erancy. M. Speck and J. Borauf were ordained elders. 

Districts : Detroit, Daniel Strohman, presiding elder ; St» 
Joseph, A. Nicolai. 

1865, Indiana Conference, South Bend, Ind., Sept. 14, 
Bishop J. Long, president; M. Mayer, secretary. H. Meyer 
(local) died. M. Condo and J. Rosenberger located. S. S. 
Albert, S. Shultz, A. Hartzler, E. Grim and S. Shuh were 
licensed, and C. Ade, of the U. B. Church, was received. P. 
WiEST, A. Shultz, J. Castetter, S. S. Albert, C. F. Mathes, 
C. Shuh, C. Ade, A. Hartzler and P. Porr were received into 
conference. Ordained elder — H. L. Fisher. Deacons — J. 
Kaufman, C. Shamo, G. Zimmer and M. Zimmer. 

Districts: Wabash, M. Hoehn, presiding elder; White River^ 
Joseph Fisher; Elkhart, M. W. Steffey. 

1865. Kansas Conference met in Leavenworth, Kan., May 
26, to hold its first regular session. Bishop J. Long, president; 
C. Berner, secretary. H. Haas was received into the itinerancy. 
Philip Fricker was ordained deacon, and S. W. McKesson, 



CONFERENCE BEC0BD8. 351 

elder. J. Rahskopf, of the Iowa Conference, was received. 
G. W. BuGH, of the Free Methodist Church, was admitted. J. 

F. ScHREiBER was elected presiding elder. 

Appointments : Conference District, J. F. Schreiber, presiding 
elder. Leavenworth, Jos. Rahskopf; Lawrence, Philip Fricker; 
Humboldt, Chas. Tobias; Holton, S. W. McKesson; Big Blue, 

G. W. Bugs; Arago, Ch. Berner; Rockport, H. Haas. 
Note. — The year 1865 was marked by many notable events. 

The country, which had been engaged for four years in the most, 
sanguinary war of modern times, experienced the return of peace 
during this year. The return of national quietude, the restora- 
tion of the Union, the abolition of slavery, and other matters of 
national interest, are all materially reflected in the literature and 
conference proceedings of the Church during this eventful 
period. The Evangelical Association showed a remarkable de- 
gree of loyalty for the cause of the Union during the Civil War. 
Almost every session of the annual conference, as well as the 
General Conference of 1863, passed resolutions breathing the 
most ardent patriotism. The loyalty of the Church is in nothing 
more manifest than in the vigorous manner in which the Union, 
cause was championed by the periodicals, and the hearty en- 
dorsement of the editors in their course by the conferences. 
The columns of the paper abound with communications from 
the camps, battlefields and hospitals, from the pens of Evangel- 
ical soldiers. For several years the papers maintained a cap- 
tion, ** Our Patriotic Dead,^^ under which appeared weekly the 
obituaries of our fallen brave. Sometimes the number was very 
large, especially after a severe battle. From six to eight was. 
nothing unusual, but alas! sometimes the number was far greater. 
A perusal of the names of the ^'Patriotic Dead " shows how 
great was the sacrifice which many of the fathers and mothers of 
our Church laid on the altar of their country. Among that 
number is a grandson of the founder of the Church, Jacob 
Albright, a gifted son of Bishop W. W. Orwig, as well as 
preachers, class-leaders and private members who responded to 
their country's call and paid the price of freedom and their 
country's integrity with their lives. The spirit of the times is 
also reflected in the poetic effusions which appeared from time 
to time in the periodicals of the Church. We subjoin one, as 
an example, from the pen of a young man who was not then a 
minister, but who has since endeared himself to the Church, and 



352 EVANOELIGAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

acquired a national reputation as a forcible writer, an eloquent 
preacher and a gifted poet. 

The Fallen Heroes.* 

[Air of "The Prairie Flower.") 

"Fold the starry banner, hush the rolling drum 
Tread with rev 'rend footsteps as ye come, 
Sheathe the gleaming sabre, sadly bow the head, 
Drop a tear above the dead. 

Cho. — Peace to the fallen ! where'er they rest. 
Light lie the sods on every breast. 
In the starry future may they richly reap — 
Then let the gallant heroes sleep ! 

'Neath the heaving billows, in the roaring main, 
On the rugged hillside, on the plain. 
Where the shock of battle rent the shrouded sky, 
There the gallant heroes lie. 

Soon the smoke of battle shall be swept away. 
And the dawning morning bring the day. 
Then the light of freedom shall forever glow 
And the hero's laurel grow. 

Flow'ry be the valleys, green the sacred hills 
Where each narrow tomb a freeman fills, 
And the flag of freedom, may it ever wave. 
Hallowed by each soldier's grave." 

— H. B. Hartzler. 

Nov. 2, 1865, the Missionary Society held its twenty-sixth an- 
nual session at Dayton, Ohio. One hundred and twenty-four 
missions were reported — a gain of seven over the previous year, 
and upwards of 2,000 conversions. The contributions for home 
and foreign missions were ;^42,ooo — a gain of ^7,000 over the 
previous year. 

J. Kaechele, of the Canada Conference, was appointed as an 
additional missionary to Germany. 

1866. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Feb. 
28. Bishop Jos. Long, president; Fr. Krecker, secretary. B. 
Mover located. Received on trial, H. Oehrle, J. Hunsberger, 
F. Leuther, a. Yeakel, C. Burkhart, E. Snyder, W. Loose, 
J. L. Werner, B. J. Smoyer, G. H. Landis, J. R. Siegfried, 

* From Evangelical Messenger y Feb. 24,- 1864. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 35^ 

W. K. WiEAND and J. S. Scheimer. Received into the itiner- 
ancy, J. Laros, S. Ely, J. S. Scheimer, W. K. Wieand, D. 
Mertz, J. K. Knerr and B. J. Smoyer, and R. Litzenberger, 
(again). Ordained deacons, S. B. Brown, A. H. Overholt, 
A. Leopold and S. Ely. S. Neitz was re-elected, and J. P. 
Leib newly elected presiding elder. An English mission was 
located in Lancaster. 

Districts: Philadelphia, S. Neitz, presiding elder; Easton, 
J. Yeakel; AUentown, G. T. Haines; Reading, L. Snyder; 
Pottsville, J. P. Leib. 

1866. Central Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 8. 
Jos. Long, president; J. Young, secretary. L. May, itinerant 
and J. WiLHELM and D. Oberdorf, locals, died. J. M. Ett- 
inger and B. F. Winegarden received license. M. Sloat and 
S. I. Shortess were recommended to the presiding elder for 
work. I. M. Pines, T. M. Morris, I. Y. Reed, F. Methfes- 
sel and W. H. Davis were ordained elders, and H. W. Buck, 
H. A. Stoke, J. Snavely, J. G. M. Swengel and A. Snyder, 
deacons. E. Kohr was re-elected presiding elder. Jacob 
Henn was appointed collector for Washington City Mission. 
Lock Haven Mission was established. 

Districts: Baltimore, J. M. Young, presiding elder; Centre 
S. Wolf; Susquehanna, E. Kohr. Prof. F. C. Hoffman, presi- 
dent of Union Seminary. 

1866. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 14. 
Bishop J. Long, president; R. Yeakel, secretary. Licensed — L. 
M. BoYER, E. B. Arthur, W. J. Hahn and A. W. Teats. J. S. 
Hyde died. A. R. Teats located. A. Stahle, J. G. Pfeuffer 
and T. Monismimh took credentials for western conferences. 
Received into the itinerancy — L. Ross, E. B. Arthur, S. Book- 
man, L. M. BoYER, H. Rhoads, L. B. Donmeyer, S. Werner, 
J. Q. A. Weller, J. H. Shaffer, P. Plotts and C. G. Koch. 
Ordained Elders — J. D. Domer, H. B. Summers, C. F. Har- 
tung, S. Vandersal, T. Monismith, J. Q. A. Weller, C. W. 
Davis, J. H. Shaffer and S. Bookman. Deacons — L. Ross 
and H. Rhoads. D. S. Poling was newly elected presiding 
elder. 

Districts : Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder ; Erie, G. 
W. Cupp ; Allegheny, G. S. Domer ; Somerset, D. S. Poling. 

1866. New York Conference, Lyons, N. Y., March 29. 
Bishop J. Long, president; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. J. 



354 B VAJ^GBLICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

LuTTENBERGER, M. Yauch and A. Unholtz were licensed. C. 
A. WissEMAN, H. Fisher, C. Schoeflein and H. Graves 
were ordained elders. 

Districts: Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder; Buffalo, D. 
Fisher. 

1866. Canada Conference, Hamburg, C. W., April 5. 
Bishop J. Long, president; G. F. Buesh, secretary. M. 
Maurer, G. Bernhart and J. Andes were licensed. L. Roth- 
ERMEL, W. ScHAND and R. Clark were ordained deacons. J. 
Wagoner joined the Iowa Conference. P. Winkler, C. 
Steuernagel, M. Maurer, G. Brown and F. Scharf were re- 
ceived into the itinerancy. J. Kaechele took an appointment 
from the Board of Missions as missionary to Germany. Jos. 
Umbach was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Waterloo, Jos. Umbach, presiding elder ; Hamil- 
ton, F. Herlan. 

1866. Kankakee, 111., April, 12. Bishop J. J. Esher, 
president ; Geo. Vetter, secretary. C. Bucks, J. Brewer, M. 
Eller, W. W. Shuler, p. Wagoner and A. Davis were licensed. 
W. W. Shuler, J. Riegel, J. P. Wengerd, M. Ellea, G. 
Ramige, S. a. Tobias, A. Davis and A. Stahle were received 
into the intinerancy. C. Augenstein was re-elected, and John 
Schneider was newly elected presiding elder. Full salary for 
the preachers was reported. 

Districts: Chicago, C. Augenstein, presiding elder; Naper- 
ville, J. Schneider; Freeport, S. Dickover; Peoria, J. Schafle. 

1866« Michigan Conference, Emanuels Church, near Ann 
Arbor, Mich., April 12. Bishop J. Long, president; J. Meck, 
secretary. J. Orth was licensed. L. Engel was received on 
probation. M. J. Miller, (formerly of ;^ansas Conference), L. 
Engel, S. Coply and C. S. Brown were received into the itin- 
erancy. J. M. FucHS and C. Beuckel were ordained deacons. 
Daniel Strohman joined the Ohio Conference. M. J. Miller 
was elected presiding elder. Preachers of this conference were 
forbidden from uniting with any secret society. 

Districts : Detroit, M. J. Miller, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
A. Nicolai. 

1866. Wisconsin Conference, Madison, Wis., April 19." 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; W. Horn, secretary. Received 
on trial — J. P. Viel, J. Kahl, G. Kaufman, T. Trayer and G. 
Zimmerman. Ordained elders — W. Horn, F. Kaufman, L. 



CONFERENCE BEC0BD8. 355 

Stroebel, M. Wittenwyler, p. Speith and F. Zimmerman. 
Deacons — W. Heulster, J. Karchner and W. Pfefferkorn. 
Secret societies were deprecated, and no one shall be receiv«d as 
a preacher in this conference who is a member of such a society. 

Districts : Milwaukee, H. Huelster, presiding elder ; Fon du 
Lac, L. Buehler; Madison, A. Huelster. 

1866. Ohio Conference, Cleveland, O., May 3. Bishop 
J. Long, president; J. G. Zinzer, secretary. Licensed — S. 
Rife, C. Negle and B. Berry. Received into the itinerancy — 
G. Blasser, D. Stoll, C. Negle, L. Schleich and P.W. Hahn. 
Located — G. Hasenpflug, F. Zeller, H. G. Ray, J. J. Kopp, 
G. Haley, G. Shott and G. F. Behner. A. Wehr was ordained 
elder. An orphan home was established and J. G. Zinzer ap- 
pointed superintendent of the same. Resolutions deprecating 
secret societies were re-enacted. 

Districts: Cleveland, G. F. Spreng, presiding elder; San- 
dusky, J. Stoll ; Scioto, C. M. Reinhold. 

1866. Kansas Conference, Leavenworth, Kan., March 30. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; C. Berner, secretary. J.Wuerth 
was received on probation. G. W. Bugh, J. Wuerth and J. G. 
Pfeuffer were received into the itinerancy. Conference resolved 
not to admit any minister into their body who is a member of a 
secret society. J. F. Schreibfr, presiding elder. 

1866. Iowa Conference, East Prairie, Minn., May 18. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; R. Dubs, secretary. E. Wise 
and J. Schmidt, Sr., located. J. F. Hahn, H. Brauer, C. H. 
Egge, F. Beltzer, a. Knebel, L. P. Rohland and S. Reef 
were licensed. Received into the itinerancy — L. Eberhart, J. 

F. Yerger, C. H. Egge, N. H. Diehl, F. Beltzer, G. C. 
Brauer, J. Kuehnholtz, C. Werner, A. Knebel, G. Simon, 
J. F. Hahn, T. Monismith and J. Wagoner. Ordained elders — 
H. Holdridge, H. Bunse and E. Bauman. Deacons — C. Esher 
and M. Wunderlich. 

Districts : Des Moines, R. Dubs, presiding elder ; Dubuque, 
H. Lageschulte; St. Paul, J. Hammetter. 

1866. Indiana Conference, Evansville, Ind., Sept. 13. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; M. Mayer, secretary. E. Evans, 

G. Klepfer and G. Zimmer located. A. B. Schaeffer was 
superannuated. P. Miller, E. Condo, F. Louner, J. Miller 
and J. Mayer were licensed. G. Schmoll, C. Heim and D. S. 



356 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

Oaks were ordained elders. J. Berger, A. Parker, S. Kip- 
linger, C. Ade and C. F. Mathias, deacons. 

Districts: Wabash, M. Hoehn, presiding elder ; White River, 
Joseph Fisher; Elkhart, M. W. Steffey. 

Note. — The general interests of the Church prospered measur- 
ably during the year 1866. The Missionary Society held its annual 
session at Lebanon, Pa., Nov. i. The proposed heathen mission 
was again discussed, and a mission proposed to be established 
among the freedmen of the South. The receipts for home and 
foreign missions were $39,000, a decrease of almost $3,000 from 
last year. The number of missions was 137, an increase of 13, 
and near 3,000 souls were converted on the mission charges. 

1867. EastPa. Conference, Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 27. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; J. Koehl, secretary. J. A. Apgar and 
R. Litzenberger located. Licensed — B. D. Albright, J. P. 
Smith, W. A. Leopold, F. Sechrist, I. Zimmerman, H. A. 
Neitz, a. Kindt, J. Shimer and L. Ruhl. Received into the 
itinerancy — H. A. Neitz, J. C. Bliem, G. Scharf, W. A. Leo- 
pold, J. G. Sands, B. D. Albright and E. A. Hoffman. Or- 
dained elders — D. Lentz, W. H. Weidner, A. Getschel and 
D. Z. Kembel. Deacons — L. T. Worman, J. K. Knerr, J. C. 
Hornberger, J. N. Metzgar, G. Scharf and L. Miller. J. 
Yeakel was re-elected presiding elder. The Conference organ- 
ized itself into a church building society. C. B. Fliehr was 
appointed to collect money for church building. 

Districts: Philadelphia, S. Neitz, presiding elder; Easton, 
G. T. Haines ; Allentown, J. Yeakel ; Reading, L. Snyder ; 
Potts ville, J. P. Leib. 

1867. Central Pa. Conference, New Kingston, Pa., March 
7. Bishop J. Long, president ; J. Young, secretary. Licensed 
— J. Shuler, J. M. Price, W. H. Houtz, J. Bear, A. W. 
Kremer, J. W. Bentz, U. F. Swengel and W. P. Thomas. 
Ordained elders — W. E. Detwiler and J. Bowersox. Deacons 
— S. I. Shortess and J. N. Allen. Received into the itiner- 
ancy — J. M. Ettinger, W. p. Thomas, J. W. Bentz, U. F. 
Swengel, A. W. Kramer, M. Sloat and S. I. Shortess. Glen 
Rock, Danville and Scranton were constituted missions. 

Districts : Baltimore, J. M. Young, presiding elder ; Centre, 
S. Wolf; Susquehanna, E. Kohr. 

1867. Pittsburg Conference, Warren, Pa., March 13. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; R. Yeakel, secretary. J. M. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 357 

ZiRKEL located. A. Loekner joined the Ohio Conference. J. 
Kern, G. W. Brown, J. S. Grimm, J. Dooley, J. W. Reichard, 
J. DovENSPiKE, J. Keller and J. Fogel were licensed. Ordained 
elders — W. H. Stole, G. Focht, L. B, Donmyer. Deacons — 
L. M. Boyer, S. Werner, T. S. Messner and P. W. Plotts. 
J. Rank was granted credentials. 

Districts: Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder; Erie, G. 
W. Cupp; Alleghany, G. S. Domer; Somerset, D. S. Poling. 

1867* New York Conference, Batavia, N. Y., March 29. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; M. Lauer, secretary. P. 
Glantz and E. Wier were licensed. A. Unholtz and P. 
Glantz were received into the itinerancy. J. Lerch was or- 
dained elder, and A. Luscher and L. Herman deacons. D. 
Moos was granted credentials. 

Districts: Albany, M. Lehn, presiding elder; Buffalo, D. 
Fisher. 

1867, Canada Conference, St. Jacobs, C. W., April 4. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. R. 
Clark located. J. Martzolf and G. M. Groff were licensed. 
H. Werner was ordained elder, and C. Steuernagel and G. 
Brown deacons. W. Schmidt was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Waterloo, Jos. Umbach, presiding elder; Hamil- 
ton, Wm. Schmidt. 

1867. Ohio Conference, West Salem, O., May 2. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; J. Zinzer, secretary. Located — L. 
ScHLEiCH, Jos. Dick, T. George and G. F. Spreng. H. G. 
Rhea, J. Brown and S. Strome (locals) died. Received on 
trial — G. A. Sickel, G. W. Phillips, F. Graff, N. Shupp and 
J. Platz. Received into the itinerancy — S. Hippert, B. Berry, 
Jonas Strome and John Honnecker. Ordained elders — C. 
Erhart, C. Kinzeli. H. F. Sichley, L. Nauman and A. 
Deckert. Deacons— J. Kinzeli, D. Stoll, G. Blasser and 
W. King. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. Stull, presiding elder ; Sandusky, 
D. Strohman; Scioto, C. M. Reinhold. 

1867. Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 11. 
Bishop J. Long, president; H. Bucks, secretary. Licensed — 
H. Finger, H. Heine, H. Meier, G. Bosser, J. Cabel, also 
R. Morry (of the U. B. Church). D. B. Byers, R. Morry, 
H. Meier and H. Finger were received into the itinerancy. 
Ordained elders — P. Himmel and L. B. Tobias. Deacons — 



358 EVANGELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

W. Shuler, a. Lieberknecht, V. FoRKEL and P. Leidner. 
English missions were established at Naperville and Freeport. 

Districts : Chicago, Ch. Augenstein, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, J. Schneider; Freeport, S. Dickover; Peoria, J. Schaffle. 

1867. Wisconsin Conference, Racine, Wis., April 15. 
Bishop J. Long, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. F. 
Traeger (local) died. H. Esch and F. Zimmerman located. 
F. AssMAN, A. Rash, G. Lihs, F. Gloege, P. Port, O. Knet- 
TERLiNG and C. Seiberling were licensed. Ordained elder — 
F. Kurtz. Deacons — F. Stroebel, J. Koch, H. Guelich, T. 
Umbreit and J. T. Vail. All the preachers shall, during the year, 
preach at least one sermon on education. Full salary was 
reported. 

Districts : Milwaukee, A. Huelster, presiding elder ; Madison, 
H. Shelp; Fon du Lac, L. Buehler; Mississippi, G. Fritsche, 

1867* IowaConference,GrandView, Iowa, May 6. Bishop 
Joseph Long, president; R. Dubs, secretary. Located — N. 
H. DiEHLE, C. W. Anthony and Anton Huelster, the latter 
going to Germany to attend a university. J. Keiper took cre- 
dentials. J. Hammetter died. Ordained elders — J. Nuhn, 
W. GiES, J. Von Eschen. Deacons — Anton Huelster, J. 
F. Yerger, H. Brauer and H. Kohl. Licensed — G. Herring, 
E. Mell, L. Mueller, F. Dreblow and R. Baker. Received 
into conference — A. Loehner, of the Pittsburg, E. H. Shultz, 
of the Wisconsin Conference, and E. Mell, D. Baker, D. H. 
KooKER, G. Knebel and H. Kohl. W. Stegner was elected 
presiding elder. Conference prospectively formed the Minne- 
sota Conference. 

Districts : Des Moines, R. Dubs, presiding elder ; Dubuque, 
H. Lageschulte ; St. Paul, W. Stegner. 

1867* Kansas Conference, Leavenworth, Kansas, March 8. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
W. Folger, H. Mattill and D. Zoeller. Ordained elder — 
Wm. Fricker. Deacons — H. Haas, C. Trimmer, J. Wuerth 
and G. W. Bugs. J. F. Schreiber, presiding elder of the con- 
ference district. 

1867. Indiana Conference, Dayton, O., Sept. 5. Bishop 
J. Long, president; M. Mayer, secretary. C. Shuh and W. 
Wessler located. J. Miller (local) died. Licensed — W. H. 
Honstett, G. W. Wales, H. W. Funk and Jacob Troyer. Re- 
ceived into the itinerancy — P. Miller, E. E. Condo, F. Launer, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 359 

J. Miller, J. A. Maier, D. J. Pontius, J. Keiper, G. W. Walse 
and W. H. Honstett. Ordained elder — J. Kaufman. Deacons 
— C. Shuh, S. S. Albert, A. Hartzler and D. J. Pontius. M. 
Krueger, M. Mayer and G. G. Platz were elected presiding elders. 
Districts : Wabash, G. G. Platz, presiding elder ; Elkhart, M. 
Kreuger; White River, M. Mayer. 

1867* Michigan Conference, Portage Prairie, Mich., April 
II. Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; J. M. Haug, secretary. 
Benjamin Wade, E. Weiss, Joseph Birk and Jacob Young 
received license to preach. C. S. Braun was ordained deacon. 

Districts : Detroit, M. J. Miller, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
A. Nicolai. 

Notes of Progress. — In 1866 a gentleman of Louisville, 
Ky., who had purchased a fine church from another denomina- 
tion, offered it on very reasonable terms to the Indiana Confer- 
ence. The offer was accepted, and in 1867 J. M. Gomer was 
appointed pastor and collector for the Church. This was the 
beginning of our work in Kentucky. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Fourteenth General Conference, Held at Pittsburg, Pa., 
Oct. io, 1867. 

1867. General Conference, fourteenth session, Pittsburg, 
Pa., Oct. 10. Bishops J. Long and J. J. Esher, presidents; 
R. Yeakel, secretary. 

Considerable time was consumed in examining the charges 
for heresy brought against Rev. S. Neitz. At the General Con- 
ference of 1859 complaints were made against him concerning 
his views on the subject of sanctification. The charges were 
revived at this session. The report of the committee, which was 
adopted, is as follows: ** Resolved, that after thoroughly exam- 
ining the above-named sermon,* in the light of the Scriptures 
and our disciplinary article, we have come to the conclusion that 
he (Neitz) makes use of terms, phrases and figures of speech of 
which we decidedly disapprove, but upon his explanation, it 
appears to us that he does not design to teach doctrines essen- 
tially different from those held by our Church, and therefore we 
unanimously recommend his acquittal." 

Inasmuch as divergent opinions prevailed concerning the 
views of the Church on the subject of sanctification, a committee 
was appointed consisting of Bishops Long and Esher, and F. 
Hoffman, E. Kohr, T. G. Clewell, D. Fisher, H. Rohland, 
H. Huelster, John Dreisbach, W. Smith, M. Kreuger, M. J. 
Miller, H. Lageschulte and J. F. Schreiber to formulate the 
views of the Church on that doctrine. The report of the com- 
mittee was adopted, and is essentially the same as found incor- 
porated in the book of Discipline. After its adoption Bishop 
Long, the chairman, said : **I wish just here to remark that the 

* Published in the Lehigh County Patriot, 1867. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 361 

General Conference of the Evangelical Association has now voted 
unanimously, and if this is not paramount authority there is none 
in the Church." 

The Committee on the State of the Country submitted a report, 
which was adopted, and of which the following is a summary : 

'^Preamble. At the time of the session of the last General 
Conference at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1863, the battle with the rebels 
of the South for justice, order and liberty still raged fiercely. 
By the help of God and the bravery of our soldiers the govern- 
ment finally achieved the victory over treason and slavery. With 
the overthrow of the rebellion, many difficult questions regarding 
the reconstruction of the Southern States presented themselves, 
for solution of which, to the welfare of those concerned, great 
wisdom and moderation were necessary. Now as this body 
expressed itself with regard to the state of the country at our last 
session, we owe it to ourselves to speak out again ; therefore, 

*' Resolved, i. That we, and our entire nation, owe the most 
heartfelt thanks to God for the victory he has vouchsafed to 

"2. That we owe this victory under God to the patriotic 
bravery of our fellow-citizens who ventured their lives for our 
country and liberty. * * * Our members and brethren in the 
Lord have conducted themselves worthy of all praise by entering 
heroically into battle for the dearest rights of our fatherland, 
and holding fast at the same time to the faith in our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Many of these dear ones fell in the struggle, and sealed 
their love of liberty with their blood. 

"3. That this chastisement is intended to teach us our de- 
pendence upon God. The best institutions of our land are useless 
if God is not with us." (Then follows a deprecation of the fact 
that the Constitution of the United States gives no intimation 
that we are a Christian nation, and hearty co-operation in the 
movement, then so prominent, to introduce the recognition of the 
Supreme Being in the constitution. 

*^4. That we deplore the inattention of the people to the 
voice of God in this chastisement. 

''5. That we deplore that a disposition is manifested here 
and there to sacrifice moral principals to those infidels who want 
to have our wholesome Sunday laws, and the legislative acts of 
several states respecting the cause of temperance, abolished forth- 
with. No compromise in order to secure political power and a 



SQZ EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS. 

false peace ought to be made with these pioneers of social and civil 
dissolution, but we ought to stand immovably upon these noble 
institutions, even if we should suffer temporary political defeat. 

<*6. Relates to the abolition of slavery and the reconstruc- 
tion of the South. 

*' 7. Deprecates the course of President Johnson in obstruct- 
ing the measures of Congress in dealing with the important issues 
of the day. 

A form of trust and incorporation clauses were submitted and 
approved, to be inserted in the Discipline for the securing of 
churches, parsonages and other property to the control of the 
Evangelical Association. 

One of the most important actions of this conference was the 
adoption of a resolution as found embodied in Section 74 of the 
Discipline, constituting the General Conference **the supreme 
court of law in the Church." 

**The Committee on Revision recommended that the recom- 
mendation from the annual conferences, which changes the basis 
for the election of a delegate from seven to ten preachers, and 
which has already been rejected, be now reconsidered. Recon- 
sideration was carried, and the recommendation adopted." 

A recommendation was adopted, empowering the General 
Conference to send recommendations for adoption to the annual 
conferences. 

Dr. William Nast, fraternal delegate from the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, addressed the conference. The Ebenezer 
Orphan Home, founded by the Ohio Conference was made denom- 
inational. The Minnesota Conference was formed. Bishops J. 
Long and J. J. Esher were re-elected; W. W. Orwig was elected 
chief book agent ; R. Dubs, editor of the Christliche Botschafter ; 
T. G. Clewell, editor of the Evangelical Messenger; R. Yeakel, 
editor of Sunday-School and Tract Literature ; J. G. Wolpert, 
book agent in Germany and editor of Evangelische Botschafter; 
W. Yost, corresponding secretary of the Missionary Society; J. 
G. ZiNZER, superintendent of Orphan Home. The following reso- 
lution was adopted by a vote of sixty-six yeas to eleven nays, as 
a recommendation to the annual conferences : 

^^Resolvedy That the book agent, the editor of i\iQChristlichg 
Botschaftery the editor of the Evangelical Messenger j the editor 
■of the Sunday-School Literature, the corresponding secretary of 
the Missionary Society and the bishops, at the time when they 



CONFERENCE BEC0BD8, 363 

are not in the chair, be members of the General Conference, 
ex-officioj provided they are elders, but that the annual confer- 
ences to which they may belong shall not, in making up the 
number of delegates to be elected by them, count the above- 
named officers of the book establishment." This was the begin- 
ning of ex-officio representation, a measure fraught with danger, 
and a source of frequent disquietude to the Church. 

Delegates. — East Pa. Conference. — S. Neitz, J. P. Leib, L. 
Snyder, F. Hoffman, T. Bowman, C. S. Haman, S. G. Rhoads, 
r. Krecker, J. Koehl and C. Meyers. Alternates — J. Adams 
and J. Hess. 

Central Pa. Conference. — E. Kohr, J. M. Young, M. J. Caro- 
thers, J. Young, S. Wolf, S. W. Seibert, Z. Hornberger, S. Smith. 
Alternates — A. Ettinger and J. C. Farnsworth. 

Pittsburg Conference.^S. B. Kring, G. S. Domer, G. W. 
Cupp, C. G. Koch, J. L. W. Seibert, T. G. Clewell, R. Yeakel, 
J. D. Hollinger. 

New York Conference. — M. Lehn, M. Lauer, D. Fisher, M. 
Pfitzinger. 

Illinois Conference. — John Schneider, S. Dickover, J. Schaffle, 
H. Rohland, C. Kopp, S. A. Tobias, J. F. Schnee, G.W. Lechler, 
C Hummel, J. G. Esher, William Goessele, C. Augenstein. 

Ohio Conference.— Z. Hammer, J. Stull, W. W. Orwig, D. 
Strohman, C. M. Reinhold, John Dreisbach, W. Yost, J, G. Zin- 
zer, G. F. Spreng, L. Sheuerman. 

Indiana Conference. — M. W. Steffey, M. Krueger, M. Maier, 
A. B. Shafer, G. G. Platz, M. Hoehn. 

Wisconsin Conference. — C. Fritche, L. Buehler, A. Huelster, 
H. Shelp, W. F. Schneider, H. Huelster. 

Michigan Conference. — M. J. Miller, A. Nicolai, J. Meek. 

Canada Conference. — S. Weber, W. Smith, Frederick Herlan, 
P. Alles. 

Iowa Conference. — R. Dubs, H. Lageschulte, W. Stegner, H. 
J. Bowman, H. E. Linse, A. Strohmeier. 

Kansas Conference. — J. F. Schreiber. 

1868. East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa., Feb. 26. Bishop 
J. Long, president ; S. G. Rhoads, secretary. C. Loos located. 
A. GoETSCHEL received credentials. W. Dewees (local) died. 
Licensed — E. Shultz, I. Hoch, J. Shaffer, B. Wimmer, S. 
Light, W. A. Shoemaker, A. M. Stirk, J. K. Lutz, R. Drie- 
belbis, S. Engel and B. H. Miller. Ordained elders — B. F. 



364 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

BoHNER, S. Ely, A. F. Leopold, S. B. Brown, A. H. Overholt, 
J. C. Bliem and D. Mertz. Deacons — J. S. Shimer, J. G. 
Sands, W. K. Wieand, J. Laros, E. A. Hoffman, B. J. Smoyer, 
H. A. Neitz and S. Frankenfield. J. M. Saylor and F. Hoff- 
man were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Philadelphia, S. Neitz, presiding elder ; Fasten, 

F. Hoffman ; Allentown, J. Yeakel ; Reading, J. M. Saylor ; 
Pottsville, J. P. Leib. 

1868* Central Pa. Conference, Lewisburg, Pa., March 5. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; J. Young, secretary. W. Reeser 
located. H. Althouse was granted credentials. Died — Father 
James Barber, also D. L. Sutton and H. Hippenstiel (locals). 
D. A. Kepner, H. Ream, G. E. Zehner, J. M. Price, J. Man- 
beck, C. H. Gramley and S. P. Remer were received into the 
itinerancy. Ordained elders — P. H. Rishel, H. W. Buck, H. 
A. Stoke, J. G. M. Swengel and M. Sloat. Deacons — J. W. 
Bentz, B. W. a. Young and H. Wilhelm. M. J. Carothers 
and Jacob Young were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Centre, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder; Susque- 
hanna, E. Kohr; Baltimore, J. Young. 

1868. Pittsburg Conference, Rochester, Pa., March 12. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; J. D. Hollinger, secretary. W. 
Haupt received license. J. A. Grimm, W. Haupt, J. Vought 
and Joseph Dick were received into the itinerancy. Ordained 
elders — L. Ross and H. Rhoads. Deacons — E. B. Arthur, 
J. Arkless, J. L. Bowman, G. Nicholas, J. Liebendorfer and 

G. Phillips. 

Districts: Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder; Erie, G. 
W. Cupp ; Allegheny, G. S. Domer ; Somerset, D. S. Poling. 

1868. Ohio Conference, Zion Church, Fairfield county, O., 
May 7. Bishop J. Long, president; G. F. Spreng, secretary. 
W. Bernhart (local) died. W. H. Ingel, W. Schneider, J. 
Wonder, G. Hinkel, P. Foltz, J. Saeger, C. Stucky, H. Darr, 
I. N. RiCHERT and J. S. Hancks were granted license. Ordained 
elder — J. Strohm. Deacons — C. F. Negele, E. E. Turner and 
H. Sechrist. C. M. Reinhold was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. Stoll, presiding elder ; Sandusky, D. 
Strohman; Scioto, C. M. Reinhold. 

1868, New York Conference, Liverpool, N.Y., March 26. 
Bishop J. Long, president; J. Siegrist, secretary. H. Fisher 
died. Licensed — G. Frech, L.GLASSERand F. Hehr. Ordained 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 365 

deacons — A. Unholtz and M. Yauch. M. Pfitzinger was 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Albany, M. Pfitzinger, presiding elder; Buffalo, 
D. Fisher. 

1868* Canada Conference, Blenheim, Can. , April 2. Bishop 
J. Long, president; P. Alles, secretary. Licensed — C. Braun, 
S. N. Mover and C. Pfeffer. S. Bean, of the Wesleyan Church, 
was received. Ordained elders — P. Winkler, L. Rothermel 
and W. Schwandt. Deacons — G. Bernhart, M. Maurer and 
J. Anthes. 

Districts : Waterloo, Joseph Umbach, presiding elder ; Ham- 
ilton, W. Schmidt. 

1868. Illinois Conference, Davis, 111., April 2. Bishop J. 
J. Esher, president; M. Stamm, secretary. G. Langenstein, 

W. LiNGELBACH, E. SCHMUCKER, J. F. WORICK and J. SCHLITTLER 

were received on trial. Ordained elders — L. Willman, L. Kel- 
ler, J. Knechel and F. E. Stuewig. Deacons — M. Ellert 
and J. P. WiNGERT. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schafele, presiding elder; Naperville, 
J. Schneider; Freeport, D. B. Byers; Mendota, C. Augenstein; 
Peoria, S. Dickover. 

1868. Iowa Conference, Cedar Falls, Iowa, April 9. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; J. Nuhn, secretary. Located — B. Baker, 
W. KoLB, D. N. Long and Levi Eberhart. Received on trial — 
W. Klinefelter, L. Scheurer, J. Knoche and G.Youngblood. 
J. J. Richardson, of the M. E. Church, was received. Ordained 
elder — C. Esher. Deacons — E. H. Egge, F. Beltzer and 
L. ScHOBERT. H. Lageschulte was re-elected and J. Buzzard 
and H. J. Bowman were newly elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Dubuque, J. Buzzard, presiding elder ; Cedar Rap- 
ids, H. Lageschulte; Des Moines, H. J. Bowman. 

1868. Minnesota Conference, Castle Rock, Minn., April 
24, to hold its first annual session. Bishop J. J. Esher, presi- 
dent; H. E. Linse, secretary. Licensed — J. Huelscher and 
J. Frehmel. Ordained deacons — A. Knebel, G. Simon, J. 
Kiehnholtz and C. Werner. Israel Kuter was elected pre- 
siding elder. The presiding elder of St. Paul District was directed 
to visit the northern part of the State during the year, with a view 
of establishing the work. 

Districts ; Winona, J. Kuter, presiding elder ; St. Paul, W. 
Stegner, 



36C EVANOELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

1868* Wisconsin Conference, Jefferson, Wis., April idr 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; H. Huelster, secretary. A. 
Kammerer, F. Diete, J. F. Eickert, R. Raukel, D. Herb, S. 
KoRTENMEiER, J. C. Brendel, J. Rabus, F. Trapp and A. Tar. 
NUTZER were received. Ordained elders — W. Huelster, W. 
Pfefferkorn, J. Karcher and George Harm. Deacons — C. 
Miller, J. Thieke and E. Hack. C. A. Schnake was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Milwaukee, C. A. Schnake, presiding elder ; Mad- 
ison, H. Schelp; Fondu Lac, L. Buehler; Mississippi, G.Fritsche. 

1868. Michigan Conference, Flowerfield, Mich., April 9. 
Bishop J. Long, president ; J. Meck, secretary. Licensed — G. 
Haller, E. Weisbrodt, T. Davis and J. Rhoads. Ordained 
elders — J. M. Fuchs and R. Spatz. Deacon — S. Copley. A. 
NicoLAi was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Detroit, A. Nicolai, presiding elder; St. Joseph^ 
M. J. Miller. 

1868. Kansas Conference, school house, NickePs Grove, 
Kan., March 26. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. Berner,^ 
secretary. C. Comstock was licensed. J. F. Schreiber, pre- 
siding elder of the Conference District. 

1868* Indiana Conference, South Bend, Ind., Sept. 10. 
Bishop J. Long, president; M. Klaiber, secretary. Licensed — 
J. Wales, C. Harte, A. Scheitler, A. Trover and Enos Trover. 
Ordained elders — C. F. Matheis, E. Shamo, J. Berger and S. 
KiPLiNGER. Deacons — F. Launer, J. Miller, J. Mayer and 
E. Condo. 

Districts : Wabash, G. G. Platz, presiding elder ; White River,. 
M. Meyer; Elkhart, M. Krueger. 

1869. East Pa. Conference, Salem Church, Philadelphia^ 
Pa., Feb. 24. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; Jesse Yeakel, 
secretary. J. Frey located. A. Saylor, I. Deppen and L. Ruhl 
died. Licensed — M.Canzler, N.Heil, N. Kaufman, A. Weaver, 
A. Light, F. B. Luttman, W. W. Hambright, S. L. Wiest and 
W. Wagoner. E. Bast and L. Schmidt were again received. 
Ordained elders — J. N. Metzgar, J. K. Knerr, L. N. Worman, 
J. C. Hornberger, G. Scharf and L. H. Gehman. Deacons — 
S. K. Seyfrit, I. E. Zimmerman, D. B. Albright, H. E.Oehrle, 
W. A. Leopold and F. Sechrist. 

Districts: Philadelphia, S. Neitz, presiding elder; Easton, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 367 

F. Hoffman; Allentown, J. Yeakel; Reading, J. M. Saylor; 
Pottsville, J. P. Leib. 

1869. Central Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 4. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; J.Young, secretary. Located — 
W. P. Thomas and P. Graham. Granted credentials — H. R. 
Price, J. Herm and F. Methfessel. H. B. Hartzler was 
received. Licensed — P. F. Coup, W. H. Stover, M. Walton, 
P. S. Orwig, I. S. Frain, p. Raidabaugh, H. Conrad, J. M. 
King, H. Schriber, S. Stayman, W. M. Croman, W. Row, J.- 
W. Graham and J. Dum. Ordained as elder — D. A. Kepner.. 
Deacons — U. F. Swengel, J. M. Price, A. W. Kramer, W. P.. 
Thomas and J. M. Ettinger. 

Districts: Baltimore, J. Young, presiding elder; Centre, M.. 
J. Carothers; Susquehanna, E. Kohr. 

1869* Pittsburg Conference, near Orangeville, Pa., March 
17. S. B. Kring, president; J. D. Hollinger, secretary. J. S. 
Seip, J. WooDHULL, A. J. MvERS, D. Baumgardner, J. EscHy^ 

G. Felix, C. Helsel, J. T. Bowls, B. F. Feit, C. Dehaven and. 
A. W. Teats were licensed on trial. Ordained elders — L. M. 
BoYER, P. W. Platts and S. Werner. Deacons — G.W. Brown, 
J. Vogel, J. A. Grimm, J. A, Dunlap and W. Moody. A com- 
mittee was appointed to write a letter of condolence to Bishop 
Long, who was ill and could not preside at the session. 

Districts: Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder; Erie, G. 
W. Cupp; Allegheny, G. S. Domer; Somerset, D. S. Poling. 

1869. New York Conference, Warsaw, N. Y. , April i . Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; J. Siegrist, secretary. Jacob Dereich 
died (born in Germany in 1805, licensed in 1841. An original 
member of the conference and traveled many years). J. G. Sie- 
grist was licensed. Ordained elder — A. Luscher. Deacons — P. 
Glantz and E. Weier. L. Jacoby was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder; Buffalo, M. 
Pfitzinger. 

1869. Canada Conference, Waterloo, Can. , April 1 5 . Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Licensed — 
J. Lingelbach, H. Dierlam, J. Walter and F. F. Meyer. Or- 
dained elder — G. Brown. Deacon — J. Matzolf. C. F. Boller 
entered the New York Conference. 

Districts : Waterloo, Joseph Umbach, presiding elder ; Ham- 
ilton, W. Schmidt. 



36« EVANGELICAL AS80C1A TION ANNALS. 

1869. Kansas Conference, Oregon, Mo., March i8. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — E. 
Trover and C. Emmel. Ordained elders — J. Wurth, H. Haas 
and C. Zimmer. Deacons — J. Beck, H. Mattill and W. Fol- 
get. C. Berner and J. G. Pfeuffer were elected to the office 
of presiding elder. 

Districts; Kansas, C. Berner, presiding elder; Missouri, J. 
O. Pfeuffer. 

1869. Michigan Conference, Bainb ridge, Mich., April 8. 
M. J. Miller, president; J. M. Haug, secretary. Licensed— 
E. K. Dewitt. Ordained elder — C. S. Brown. Deacons — J. 
Orth, C. Wiest and E. Boyer. Received into the itinerancy — 
C. Thomas, P. Wiest and E. Bover. 

Districts : St. Joseph, M. J. Miller, presiding elder ; Detroit, 
A. Nicolai. 

1869* Ohio Conference, Sandusky, O., May 6. Bishop J. 
J. Esher, president; H. Longbrake, secretary. Licensed — S. 
Shupp, G. F. Heinrich, H. H. Harrod, D. Curles and A. 
Vandersal. Ordained elders — E. Peer, G. Blaser and D. 
Stoll. Deacons— E. Reif and J. Plants. E. A. Hoffman, of 
the East Pa. Conference, was received. Jonas Strohm joined 
the Iowa Conference. J. Stoll was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Cleveland, C. M. Reinhold, presiding elder ; San- 
dusky, D. Strohman; Scioto, J. Stoll. 

1869. Illinois Conference, Washington, 111. , April 8. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; A. S. Heilman, secretary. J. G. Zinzer, 
of the Ohio Conference, was received. J. G. Miller and A. 
Finger joined the Wisconsin Conference. Located— G. W. 
Lechler, G. Ramige, A. Niebel, C. Kopp and S. A. Tobias. 
Licensed — W. Neitz, A. Knobel, W. H.' Bucks, A. J. Culver, 
H. H. DuTH, A. FuESELE, J. Reif and A. Bartels. Ordained 
-elders — W. W. Schuler and V. Forkel. Deacons — H. Meier 
and A. Rohrbach. S. Dickover was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schacfele, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
J. Schneider; Freeport, D. B. Bycrs ; Mendota, C. Augenstein 
Peoria, S. Dickover. 

1869* Iowa Conference, Belle Plain, Iowa, April 22. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; J. Nuhn, secretary. Jacob Zimmerman 
died. Licensed — W. Tallerheit, G. C. Heckathorn, Obed 
Long, J. Herwig, S. Stoll, H. Reisland, F. Zager, S. Fen- 
stermacher and J. Burden. Received on probation — C. C. 



CONFERENCE BECOBDd. 369 

Pfund and George Bremer. Ordained elders — J. F. Yerger, 
H. Brauer and H. Kohl. Deacons— D. H. Kooker, E. F. 
Mell and L. Sheurer. L. H. Gehman joined the East Pa. and 
H. BuNSE the Minnesota Conference. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, H. Lageschulte, presiding elder; 
Dubuque, Joseph Buzzard ; Des Moines, H. J. Bowman. 

1869. Minnesota Conference, East Prairie, Minn., May 14. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; C. Brill, secretary. Licensed — 
A. Walch. Ordained deacons — G. Knebel and L. Miller. 

Districts : Winona, Israel Kuter, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
W. Stegner. 

1869. Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee, Wis., April 27. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; W. Horn, secretary. M. Hauert, 
J. Banzhof and T. Rabus died. - Licensed — A. Piepenburg, M 
Werner, J. Fritsche and H. Umbreit. Ordained elders — H. 
Guelich, F. Strobel, J. Koch and T. Umbreit. Deacons — 

F. MOSER, A. YOCKEL, O. KUTERLING, J. KaHL, F. J. SCHEIR- 

MiER, G. ZiMMERMAN and F. AssMAN. H. HuELSTER was elected 
to the office of presiding elder. 

Districts : Milwaukee, C. A. Schnake, presiding elder ; Fon du 
Lac, H. Schelp; Madison, H. Huelster; Mississippi, G. Fritsche. 

1869. Indiana Conference, Olney, 111., Sept. 9. Bishop J. 
J. EsHER, president; M. Klaiber, secretary. Licensed — S. 

CONDO, W. KOENIG, E. HOCHSTETLER, W. LUEDER, C. L. ATKIN- 
SON, W. Knaubloch, W. Wildermuth, Jacob Dreisbach and J. 
Maurer. Ordained elders — A. Hartzler, S. S. Albert, A. 
Parker, D. Pontius and C. Ade. Deacons — G. Wales and J. 
K. Troyer. a. Parker joined the Iowa Conference. 

Note. — June 23 of this year marks the demise of Bishop Joseph 
Long, the second bishop of the Evangelical Association. The 
periodicals were draped in mourning, and a general gloom over- 
spread the entire Church. The reader is referred to the biograph- 
ical department for a further account of this mighty man of God. 

1870. East Pa. Conference, Catasauqua, Pa., Feb. 23. J. 
J. Esher, president; J. Yeakel, secretary. Licensed — S. F. 
Dundore, J. M. SoLiDAY, A. Straub, E. Gaumer, I. W. Yeakel, 
J. A. Feger, D. S. Stauffer, M. Trumbore and M. N. Bern- 
hart. Ordained elders — H. A. Neitz, B. J. Smoyer, W. K. 
Wiend, J. Laros and J. G. Sands. Deacons — A. M. Stirk, 
A. Kindt, J. L. Werner, J. Savitz and G. Miller. Located 



370 E VANOELIGAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

— J. Shimer. S. Neitz was re-elected and C. S. Haman was 
newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Philadelphia, G. S. Haman, presiding elder; 
Easton, F. Hoffman; Allentown, J. Yeakel ; Reading, J. M. 
Saylor; Pottsville, S. Neitz. 

1870, Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 4. 
J. J. EsHER, president; J. Hartzler, secretary. Died — M. 
Walter, P. Graham, P. Wagoner and T. Zulauf. Located — 
I. Y. Reed. Licensed — W. N. Wallace, L. K. Harris, E. 
Swengel, a. W. Shenberger, J. A. Irvine and B. Craly. 
Ordained elders — J. W. Bentz and S. I. Shortiss. Deacons — 
H. H. Ream, S. P. Reamer, H. B. Hartzler, S. Yearick, J. 
SwARTZ, G. H. Gramly, G. E. Zehner, J. Manbeck, a. Houser 
and J. Shafer. 

Districts: Baltimore, E. Kohr, presiding elder; Centre, M. 
J. Carothers ; Susquehanna, J. Young. 

1870. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 17. 
J. J. EsHER, president ; J. Q. A. Weller, secretary. D. Stayer 
and A. R. Teats, withdrew. Licensed — H. S. Herr, D. B. 
Enterline, N. Yoder, A. Platt, S. M. Baumgardner, H. S. 
Stauffer, J. King, T. Eisenhower and L A. Rohland. Or- 
dained elder — E. B. Arthur. Deacons W. Houpt, J. H. Bates 
and J. Spatz. S. B. Kring and D. S. Poling were re-elected and 
J. D. HoLLiNGER and J. L. W. Seibert were newly elected pre- 
siding elders. 

Districts : Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder ; Erie, S. 
B. Kring; Allegheny, J. D. Hollinger; Somerset, J. L. W. 
Seibert ; Potomac, D. S. Poling. 

1870. Ohio Conference, Flat Rock, Ohio, May 5. J. J. 
EsHER, president; H. Longbrake, secretary. A. Miller, died. 
Licensed — J. D. Seip, D. H. Rosenberger, O. Faus J. Lusler, 
G. MiEssE and J. Schmaus. E. Tramer, A. Ware, C. H. 
LiNTNER and J. F. Wonder took credential. C. F. Negele 
and E. C. Turner were voted elder^s, and N. Shupp, W. H. 
Ingel, p. Foltz, S. Hippert, A. Ruble, D. B. Johnson, J. N. 
Richards, J. Yauch and J. H. Hauks were voted deacon's 
orders. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. Frankhouser, presiding elder; San- 
dusky, J. StoU; Fremont, C. M. Reinhold ; Scioto, D. Strohman. 

1870. New York Conference, March 10. J. J. Esher, 
president; J. Siegrist, secretary. Licensed to preach — H. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 371 

Bush, K. F. Stuebe, G. Stortz and A. L. Link. Ordained 
elders — A. Unholtz and M. Yai>ch. Deacons — G. Frech, F. 
Heher and S. Bean. 

Districts: Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder; Buffalo, M. 
Pfitzinger. 

1870. Canada Conference, Stephen, Ont., March 31. J. 
J. EsHER, president; P. Alles, secretary. J. Reuber was 
licensed to preach. J. Anthes, M. Maurer and C. Stener- 
NAGEL were voted elder's, and S. N. Mover, C. Braun and J. 
Bechtel were granted deacon's orders. 

Districts : Hamburg, Joseph Umbach, presiding elder ; Wat- 
erloo, W. Schmidt j Hamilton, S. Kropp. 

1870. Wisconsin Conference, near Jefferson, Wis., April 
28. J. J. EsHER, president; J. Huelster, secretary. The fol- 
lowing were licensed — U. Elmer, J. Schneller, Chas. Koch, 
Michael Russ, J. Dietrich, Alex. Wagoner, Karl Graff and 
W. Kammerer. Also Chas. Buehner, of the M. E. Church, 
was received. Elders ordained — J. P. Veil and C. Miller. 
Deacons — J. C. Brendel, A. Kammerer, D. Herb, S. Kort- 
MYER, L. Kunkel and F. Dite. 

Districts : Milwaukee, C. A. Schnake, presiding elder ; Mad- 
ison, H. Huelster; Fond du Lack, H. Schelp ; N. Mississippi, 
G. Fritsche. 

1870. Indiana Conference, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 8. 
J. J. Esher, president ; M. Hoehn, secretary. Absalom B. 
Shaeffer and G. W. Wales, died. Licensed — L. Grimm, H. 
OvERMiER, W. Braeckly and Cleophas Baumgardner. Re- 
ceived — H. Price, of the Central Pa., and E. Tramer, of the 
Ohio Conference. C. Ade, D. J. Pontius, B. Hoffman, E. E. 
CoNDO and J. E. Dreisbach took credentials. F. Launer, J. 
Miller, J. A. Mayer and C. Schuh, were granted elder's, and 
J. Wales, deacon's orders. 

Districts: Wabash, G. G. Platz, presiding elder; Indian- 
apolis, M. Mayer; Elkhart, M. Krueger. 

1870. Illinois Conference, Des Plaines, 111., April 14. J. 
J. Esher, president; M. Stamm, secretary. Died — N. McLean 
and E. Wirth. Located — A. Stahle, H. Bucks, E. Mussel- 
man and J. F. Weirich. Licensed — T. Alberding, G. Lauten- 
slager, G. Eichenlaub, a. Schlenkel and C. H. Kolb. Or- 
dained deacons — W. F. Heidner, C. Schmucker, C. Burkhart 
and J. Hersch. Elders — J. P. Wingert and M. Eller. S, 



373 EVANGELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

DiCKOVER resigned ' the office of presiding elder, and John 
Schneider and C. Augenstein were re-elected, and W. Goes- 
SELE newly elected to the same. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schaffle, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
C. Augenstein ; Mendota, J. Schneider ; Freeport, D. B. Byers ; 
Peoria, W. Goessele. 

1870, Iowa Conference, Blairstown, Iowa, April 21. J. J. 
EsHER, president; Jacob Nuhn, German, H. J. Bowman, Eng- 
lish secretary. J. M. Condo, died. Licensed — F. Zager, J. 
Lehew, J. H. PippERT, M. Knoll, F. Drake, W. Neuman, 
Otto Rall and W. Warfield. E. H. Egge, L. Schobert, J. 
J. Richardson and H. Kletzing were voted elder*s, and J. 
Knoche, G. Youngblood, W. Kleinfelter, C. W. Anthony 
and W. H. Hahn, deacon's orders. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, H. Lageschulte, presiding elder; 
Dubuque, Joseph Bossert; Des Moines, H. J. Bowman; Ne- 
braska, E. J. Schultz. 

1870. Michigan Conference, Freedom, Mich., April 7. 
J. J. Esher, president; J. M. Haug, secretary. Licensed — 
Samuel Heininger, E. H. Hess, J. H. Keeler, George Kolb 
and J. Tim. B. F. Wade was voted deacon's and C. Copley 
elder's orders. M. J. Miller was re-elected and J. Meck was 
newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Adrian, A. Nicolai, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
M. J. Miller; Flint, J. Meck. 

1870. Minnesota Conference, Pleasant Grove, Minn., May 
12. J. J. Esher, president; E. H. Bowman, secretary. L. 
Miller, died. Licensed — J. Zimmerman, J. Manthei, P. Bott, 
J. L. Stegner and A. Schmidt. A. Knebel, J. Keinholtz, 
G. Simon and G. Yohn were granted elder's orders and J. Heil- 
SCHER and J. Drehmel deacon's. 

Districts: Winona, Israel Kuter, presiding elder; St. Paul, 
W. Stegner. 

1870. Kansas Conference, Deer Creek, Kan., March 24. 
J. G. Pfeuffer, president; C. Berner, secretary. F. W. 
Voegelein, C. Linge, H. Koepsel and S. Schneider were 
newly received. Deacon's orders were granted W. Lingelbach. 
Conference organized itself into a Sunday-School and Tract 
Society. 

Districts: Kansas, C. Berner, presiding elder; Missouri, J. 
G. Pfeuffer. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 373 

1871. East Pa. Conference, Lebanon, Pa., Feb. 2 2. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president ; J. Koehl, secretary. S. Dundore (local) 
died. Licensed — E. J. Miller, W. Minsker, M. Steckley, A. 
A. Belong, A. Hofsomer, J. F. Wolfarth, U. H. Hershey, 
J. K. Fehr, S. S. Young, W. W. Weaver and S. H. Dunkel- 
BERGER. A. Markley, of the M. E. Church, was received ; R. 
MoTT, of the Pittsburg Conference, was also received. Ordained 
elders — W. A. Leopold, J. K. Seyfrit, I. E. Zimmerman, F. 
Sechrist and B. D. Albright. Deacons — W. A. Shoemaker, 
S. L. Wiest, J. Kurtz, O. L. Saylor, R. Driebelbis, J. Mover, 
D. Lehman and J. Painter. J. Yeakel was re-elected and T. 
Bowman newly elected presiding elder. New missions — Wilkes- 
Barre, Scranton, Newmanstown, Shamokin, Tremont, Hamburg, 
Hellertown, Williams Valley and Schuylkill Haven (English). 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. S. Haman, presiding elder; Read- 
ing, J. M. Saylor ; Harrisburg, F. Hoffman ; Pottsville, T. Bow- 
man; Allentown, S. Neitz; Easton, J. Yeakel. 

1871. Central Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 2. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; I. M. Pines, secretary. Licensed — A. 
Stapleton, J. Fenner, H. Hummelbach, G. Jackson, H. Gren- 
iNGER, R. C. BowERSOx, R. YouNG, N. YouNG and C. Stroup. 
Ordained elders — J. M. Ettinger, U. F. Swengel, A. Kramer 
and J. M. Price. Deacons — J. M. King, H. Conrad, P. S. 
Orwig, p. W. Raidabaugh, W. M. Croman and W. W. Rhoads. 
M. Walton died. E. Kohr resigned the office of presiding 
elder owing to ill-health, and C. F. Deininger and S. Smith were 
were elected to the same. An appeal from Seneca charge. New 
York State, to supply their charge abandoned by the New York 
Conference, was favorably considered. Williamsport District 
was formed. 

Districts : Baltimore, J. Young, presiding elder ; Carlisle, C. 
F. Deininger; Lewisburg, M. J.Carothers; Williamsport, S.Smith. 

1871. Pittsburg Conference, Erie, Pa., March 15. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; J. D. Hollinger, secretary. J. Shimp 
died. Licensed — W. M. Stanford, L. H. Hetrick,W. D.Ortz, 
F. Bone, S. Milliron, W. Kunselman, J. J. Carmany and G. 
W. White. H. R. Gathers, of the Lutheran Church, was re- 
ceived. Ordained elders — J. A. Grimm, G. W. Brown and J. 
A. Dunlap. Deacons — B. F. Feitt, A. J. Myers, J. Woodhull 
and Y. Esch. 



374 EVANGELICAL A8S0GIA TION ANNALS. 

Districts : Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder ; Erie, S. 
B. Kring; Allegheny, J. D. Hollinger; Somerset, J. L.W. Seibert. 

t871. New York Conference, Lyons, N.Y., March 9. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president. S. Sechrist, secretary. C. L. Witt was 
licensed. Ordained elder — P. Glantz and E.Wier, Deacon — 
G. Sechrist. M.Lauer was elected presiding elder. Received into 
the itinerancy — J. Schaf, C. L.Witt, J. REUBERand A. Schlenk. 

Districts: Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder; Rochester, 
M. Pfitzinger; Buffalo, M. Lauer. 

1871. Canada Conference, Berlin, Can., March 30. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. S. Morely 
located. F. Brekow was licensed. C. Pfeffer and F. Brekow 
were received into conference. Ordained deacons — G. M. Groff, 
F. F. Meyer and J. Lingelbach. J. McCauly, of the Menno- 
nite Church, was received as an elder. 

Districts : Hamburg, J. Umbach, presiding elder ; Waterloo, 
W. Schmidt ; Hamilton, S. Krupp. 

1871. Ohio Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, May 4. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; H. Longbrake, secretary. A. Decker 
and C. Aubel, died. Licensed — S. Frey, D. Ellenberger, W\ 
Kitchen, J. U. Loy, A. W. Orwig, C. B. Pershing and L. W. 
Henky. Ordained elders — S. E. Rife and J. Plantz. Dea- 
cons — A. Vandersall, G. Heinrich, B. Berry and J. Zeller. 
A. LocHNER again joined the conference. S. Hoy and J. W. 
Walkey were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. Stull, presiding elder ; Sandusky, C. 
M. Reinhold ; Freemont, J. W. Walkey ; Columbus, S. Hoy. 

1871. Illinois Conference, Chicago, 111., April 13. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president, G. Vetter, secretary. H. Heiner 
(local), died. Located — D. Kramer, J. F. Schnee and H. 
RoTHERMUND. Licensed — G. C. Knoble, S. Hansing, W. 
Trapp, S. Umbach, C. Stockhowe, J. Wellner, H. Lashell, 
S. Petett, D. E. Fehr, F. Busse, J. Tobias and M. E. Myers. 
Ordained elders — A. Rohrbach, H. Myers and E. E. Condo. 
Deacons — A. Knoble, J. Reif, W. Neitz, L. Glasser, A. 
FuESSELE, H. Honstett, H. H. Duth, J. Myers and J. Erb. 
Christian Augenstein resigned the office of presiding elder 
and Jacob Himmel was elected to the same. 

Districts: Chicago, J. Schafle, presiding elder; Naperville, 
J. Himmel; Freeport, D. B. Byers; Mendota, J. Schneider; 
Peoria, W. Goessele. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 375 

1871. Michigan Conference, Van Buren, Ind., April 6. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; J. M. Hogue, secretary. Lo- 
cated — J. Paulin, p. Wiest and E. Boyer. Licensed — J. W. 
Loose, L. Kemmerling, C. Schafer, L. Brum, J. Long, C. 
Dietrich and F. Sweitzer. Ordained elders — E. Weis, J. Orth 
and D. C. Rowlan, Deacons — W. Reimke, E. H. Hess and 
J. H. Keeler. 

Districts: Adrian, A. Nicolai, presiding elder; Flint, J. 
Meek; St. Joseph, M. J. Miller. 

1871. Iowa Conference. Ackley, Iowa, April 20. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president f H. Brauer, secretary. Located — F. 
Zager. J. J. Miller, D. J. Pontius, A. Bussard, W. King 
and A. Wagoner were received into the itinerancy. Ordained 
eiders — L. Scheurer, D. H. Kooker and E. F. Mell. Dea- 
cons — O. Long, G. Brenner, W. H. Bucks, C. C. Pfund, J. 
J. Miller and S. Reep. A. Loehner took credentials for an- 
other conference. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, H. Lageschulte, presiding elder, 
Dubuque, J. Bussard; Des Moines, H. J. Bowman; Nebraska, 
E. J. Schultz. 

1871. WisconsinConference,Racine,Wis., April 27. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; W. Horn, secretary. Located — G. 
VON EscHEN. Licensed — J. Robinson, W. Kemmerer, H. 
Clement, F. G. Gehler and F. Nickel. Ordained elders — 
A. Yokel, O. Kuderling, F. F. Moser, J. Kahl, G. Zimmer- 
man and F. Assman. Deacons — A. Peipenburgh, W. Kaun, 
M. Werner, A. Finger, H. Assman, P. Jenny, F. Mue'il, J. 
Zimmerman and H. Uphof. G. Fritsche was re-elected and 
P. Massueger newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Milwaukee, C. A. Schnake, presiding elder ; Mad- 
ison, H. Huelster; Fon du Lac, G. Fritsche; Mississippi, P. 
Massueger. 

1871. Kansas Conference, Salem Church, thirteen miles 
east of St. Joseph, Mo., March 23. Bishop J. J. Esher, presi- 
dent; C. Berner, secretary. Located — C. Zimmer. Licensed 
— J. Emmel, F. Harter, J. Gering, W. Luttman, J. Kipp- 
LiNGER and J. Shesser. Ordained elders — W. Folgate, J. Beck 
and H. Mattill. Deacons — W. Lingelbach, L. Emmel and 
E. Trover. 

Districts : Kansas, C. Berner, presiding elder ; Missouri, J. 
G. Pfeuffer. 



376 E VANGELICAL A880G1A TION ANNALS. 

1871. Minnesota Conference, St. Paul, Minn., May 12. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; H. E. Linse, secretary. Israel 
KuTER took credentials for another conference. Licensed — W. 
Lentz, C. W. Sydow and H. Hensel. Ordained elder — G. 
Knebel. Deacon — A. Walsh. W. Stegner was again and L. 
VON Wald newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Winona, W. Stegner, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
L. von Wald. 

1871* Indiana Conference, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 7. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; J. Berger, secretary. Located — G. G. 
Platz, G. Schmoll and S. Albert. L. V. Krim, died. Or- 
dained elder — J. K. Trover. Deacons — J. Maurer, S. S. 
CoNDo, W. Lueder and W. Koenig. M. W. Steffey, John 
FucHs, M. Meier and H. L. Fisher were elected presiding 
elders. 

Districts: Evansville, M. Meyer, presiding elder; Indian- 
apolis, J. Fuchs ; Fort Wayne, M. W. Steffey ; Elkhart, H. L. 
Fisher. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Fifteenth General Conference, Held at Naperville, III.,, 
Oct. 12-27, 1871. 

1871. General Conference, fifteenth session, Naperville^ 
111., Oct. 12-27. Bishops J. J. EsHER and R. Yeakel, presi- 
dents ; J. Yeakel, secretary ; C. A. Thomas and S. Smith, 
assistants. 

The delegates were required to change their lodging places- 
every Monday noon. 

The Committee on Memorials reported the death of Bishop 
Joseph Long and Father John Dreisbach, P. Wagoner, A. B. 
Schaefer a' d J. D. Hollinger, former members of General 
Conference, since the last session. 

Union with the Methodist Episcopal Church occupied a 
considerable portion of time. The delegates present from the 
Methodist Episcopal Church to open the way for an organic 
union with that body were Revs. R. Haney, P. Kuhl and W. 
Nast, D. D. The measure failed, however, to command the 
requisite number of votes (two-thirds). 

The agitation regarding the changing of our denominational 
name was also closed by a recommendation to adopt the name 
of ^' The Evangelical Church,^^ which did not pass. 

The pastoral limit was increased from two to three years. 

The resolution of the General Conference of 185 1, giving per- 
mission to preachers and congregations to introduce a six months^ 
probation system in the reception of members was rescinded. 

It was ordered that the bishops shall draw any deficit that may 
be due them for salary quarterly from the book establishment. 

Biblical Institutes, rules and regulations for the establish- 
ment of Theological Institutions under the auspices of the Church^ 
were established. 



378 EVANGELICAL AS80CIA TION ANNALS. 

Resolved, That all the officers of the book establishment shall 
be members of the Ohio Conference. 

The monthly magazines, The Living Epistle and Das Evan- 
gelische Magazin,yftTQ accepted from their proprietors, and were 
made denominational publications. The Sunday-school papers 
were ordered to be published semi-monthly, and contain the 
Sunday-school lessons. 

T. Bowman, R, Dubs and J. Young were elected as a dele- 
gation to bear the fraternal greeting of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at its next session. 

The following were elected to the various offices of the church: 
Bishops, J. J. EsHER and R. Yeakel; general book agent, W. 
F. Schneider ; editor of Christliche Botschafter, R. Dubs ; editor 
of Evangelical Messenger, J. Hartzler ; editor of Das Evan- 
geliche Magazin and Christliche Kinderfreund, W. Horn ; editor 
of The Living Epistle and Sunday-School Messenger, J. Young ; 
Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, W. Yost ; 
Treasurer of Missionary Society, W. W. Orwig ; Superintend- 
ent of Orphan Home, C. Hammer ; editor of Evangelische Bot- 
schafter (in Germany), J. Kaechele ; editor of Evangelische 
JCinderfreund (Germany), J. Fuessele. 

Delegates. — East Pa. Conference. — J. M. Saylor, F. Hoff- 
man, J. P. Leib, C. S. Haman, George Knerr, L. Snyder, S. G. 
Rhoads, T. Bowman, S. Neitz, C. H. Baker, J. Yeakel. 

Central Pa. Conference. — M. J. Carothers, Jacob Young, C. 
F. Deininger, Z. Hornberger, S. Sm th, Jacob Hartzler, S. W. 
Seibert. 

Pittsburg Conference.—]. D. Domer, J. Q. A. Weller, G. S. 
Domer, S. B. Kring, J. L. W. Seibert, James Croasman. 

Illinois Conference. — John Schneider, Jacob Schaefle, Jacob 
Himmel, S. Dickover, C. Hummel, G. Vetter, J. G. Esher, W. 
Goesele, H. Rohland, J. G. Zinzer. 

Indiana Conference. — M.W. Steffey, John Fuchs, M. Krueger, 
E. L. Kiplinger, M. Mayer, H. L. Fisher. 

Wisconsin Conference. — C. A. Schnake, H. Huelster, H. 
Schelp, G. Fritsche, P. Massueger, W. Horn. 

Canada Conference. — W. Schmidt, P. Alles, J. Umbach^ C, 
A. Thomas. 

Michigan Conference. — J. Meek, M. J. Miller, A. Nicolai, 
J. M. Haug. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 379 

Iowa Conference.— ¥L. Lageschulte, J. Buzzard, H. J. Bow- 
man. J. C. Schultz. 

New York Conference. — M. Lehn, M. Lauer, M. Pfitzinger. 

Ohio Conference. — W. W. Orwig, G. F. Spreng, L. Scheuer- 
man, J. Stoll, D. Strohman,C. M, Reinhold, J.W.Walkey, S. Hoy. 

Minnesota Conference. — C. Brill, W. Stegner. 

Kansas Conference. — J. G. Pfeiffer, C. Berner. 

Germany Conference. — J. Kaechele. Ex-officio members — J. 
J. Esher, R. Dubs, W. F. Schneider, W. Yost, R. Yeakel. 

Note. — Several events of great importance transpired during 
this year. In January T. G. Clewell, who, since April, 1857, 
had been the able editor of the Evangelical Messenger y was sus- 
pended from office by the Board of Publication on the charge of 
holding and supporting views contrary to our Articles of Faith, 
and particularly so, as they relate to the subject of sanctification. 
He was succeeded by R. Yeakel, who was appointed by the 
Board of Publication. Brother Clewell held that the board had 
no authority to remove him in the manner it did, and appealed 
to the civil courts to prevent it. For this and other alleged 
misconduct he was deposed from the ministry. He was, how- 
ever, restored again at the session of the Pittsburg Conference 
in March following. The case created considerable feeling 
throughout the Church. The East and Central Pa. Conferences, 
while disapproving of Brother Clewell^s invoking the arm of 
the law, maintained that the board acted without sufficient reason 
or jurisdiction. Among the objections of the East Pa. Confer- 
ence to the proceedings were that a diversity of opinion regard- 
ing the doctrine of sanctification had always existed in the 
Church, and Brother Clewell's views being well known prior 
to his last election, he should have at that time been brought to 
account; and further, that the articles from his pen, on which 
the charges were based, did not contain sufficient reasons for his 
suspension. At the following General Conference the proceed- 
ings of the board in the case were nevertheless ratified. 

In August the Church periodicals were draped in mourning 
at the death of Father John Dreisbach, the last co-laborer of 
Albright, the founder of the Evangelical Association. The 
reader is referred to his biography in this work. 

On October 4 occurred the death of Rev. J. D. Hollinger, 
presiding elder of Allegheny District, Pittsbu];g Conference, at 
the age of thirty-two years, nine months and twelve days. He 



380 EVANGELICAL AS80GIA TION ANNALS, 

was converted in youth and received a thorough education at 
Greensburg Seminary, entered the Pittsburg Conference as a 
licentiate in 1 86 1, was twice elected delegate to General Confer- 
ence and presiding elder in 1870. He was one of the most 
brilliant and promising young men of the Church, and his untimely 
death was greatly lamented. 

The Church also sustained the loss of Father Daniel Kehr, 
son of Jacob and Mary Kehr, who lived a few miles west of New 
Berlin, Pa. Their house was a preaching place in Albright^s 
time. Daniel was converted in youth, entered the Eastern Con- 
ference in 1830, was elected presiding elder in 1842 and served 
Carmel and Potomac Districts in succession. Brother Kehr 
was a member of five General Conferences. He excelled in his 
command of the Scriptures. In this he often astonished not only 
the laity, but his ministerial brethren as well. He died near the 
*'Loop,'* Centre county, Pa., Sept. 9, 187 1, aged sixty-eight 
years. Text (his own selection), Dan. xii. 13. 

1872* East Pa. Conference, Pine Grove, Pa., Feb. 28. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; T. Bowman, secretary. Licensed 
to preach — D, A. Medlar, C. Bliem, J. M. Oplinger, J. Wil- 
son, H. R. Yost, C. Pfeifle, T. Hess, C. Brown, S. Newhart 
and W. N. Nicholas. Ordained elders — J. L. Werner, J. 
Savitz, a. M. Stirk and A. Kindt. Deacons — I. W. Yeakel, 
J. A. Feger, B. H. Miller, D. S. Stauffer, A. A. DeLong, E. 
Miller and J. K. Fehr. J. M. Saylor was re-elected and G. 
T. Haines was newly elected presiding elder. The salary of 
preachers was fixed. The minimum shall be $250 for the first 
two years and $500 thereafter. Samuel Brown, a local preacher, 
died during the year. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. S. Haman, presiding elder; Read- 
ing, G. T. Haines; Harrisburg, J. M. Saylor; Pottsvillc, T. 
Bowman ; Allentown, S. Neitz ; Easton, J. Yeakel. 

1872. Central Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 7. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; Z. Hornberger, secretary. Li- 
censed to preach — E.Goodling, H. Berger, L. Dice, S. Herold, 
P. Graham, F. C. Pandel, R. W. Runyan, G. W. Currin, L. 
Matthias, J. A. Hetner, E. M. Beaver, J. M. Brader, A. W. 
Bower, S. Harding, H. Bower, F. M. Baker, A. J. Gramly, 
G. W. Gilmore, J. M. Longsdorf and C. F. Veil. Ordained 
elders — G. E. ^ehner, H. B. Hartzler, S. P. Reamer, S. 
Yearick, H. Ream and C. H. Gramly. Deacons — A. W. Shen- 



CONFERENCE BECOBDS. 381 

BERGER, W. H. Stover, L. K. Harris and G. L. Burson. Died 
— Daniel Kehr and Peter Heiss. A. L. Reeser was newly 
and M. J. Carothers was re-elected presiding elder. The sal- 
ary was fixed as follows : Minimum — Unordained, single, ^200 ; 
ordained, single, $300; ordained, married, $500. 

Districts: Baltimore, C. F. Deininger, presiding elder; Car- 
lisle, A. L. Reeser ] Lewisburg, M. J. Carothers ; Williamsport, 
S. Smith. 

1872* Pittsburg Conference, Allegheny, Pa., March 17. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; J. J. Bernhart, secretary. 
Licensed — W. Stadtlander, J. Garner, T. Bach, L. I. Baum- 
oardner and R. Sneadon. Ordained elders — W. Houpt and 
J. H. Bates. Deacons — S. M. Baumgardner, J. King, D, M. 
Baumgardner and I. A. Rohland. J. D. Hollinger, presiding 
€lder, died. G. W. Cupp and H. B. Sommers were re-elected 
and G. S. Domer was newly elected presiding elder. The salary 
of preachers was fixed as follows : Minimum (besides house) — 
First year, single, $200; married, ^^300. Second year, single, 
II300; married, ^^400. Thereafter — single, $400; married, $600. 
T. G. Clewell and C. W. Davis took credentials. 

Districts: Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder; Canton, 
H. B. Summers; Allegheny, G. W. Cupp; Somerset, J. L. W. 
Seibert; Franklin, G. S. Domer. 

1872. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., March 7. R. 
Yeakel, president; J. Sechrist, secretary. Licensed — C. Roe- 
HER, A. BoRNHEiMER and C. MowiTZ. Ordained elders — G. 
Frech, S. Bean and F. Hehr. Deacons — J. Reuber and A. 
Schlenk. M. Pfitzinger was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Albany, L. Jacoby, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
M. Pfitzinger ; Buffalo, M. Lauer. 

1872. Canada Conference, New Hamburg, Ont., April 11. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; C. A.Thomas, secretary. Li- 
censed — F. Schwartz and J. H. Damm. Ordained elders — 
C. F. Braun and N. S. Mover. Deacons — H. Dierlam and 
C. Pfeffer. 

Districts : Hamburg, J. Umbach, presiding elder ; Waterloo, 
IV. Schmidt; Hamilton, S. Krupp. 

1872. Ohio Conference, Burbank,0., May 2. R. Yeakel, 
president; J. Lerch, secretary. John Dreisbach and John 
Frueh died. Licensed — W. Shisler, H. Spitler, A. Stull, J. 
Drinkwater, G. Ellenberger and V. Brown. Ordained elders 



382 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

— ^J. S. Hanks, N. Shupp, S. Hippert and W. H. Ingle. Dea- 
cons — J. Dooly, G. Miesse and J. D. Seip. C. M. Reinholi> 
was re-elected presiding elder. The salary (minimum) was fixed 
as follows: Unmarried and unordained, $200; unordained but 
married, $250; ordained and married, ^500. The conference 
entered the Northwestern College compact. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. Stull, presiding elder; Sandusky, C. 
M. Reinhold ; Fremont, J. W. Walkey ; Columbus, S. Hoy. 

1872. Michigan Conference, Woodland, Mich., April 4. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; J. M. HouG, secretary. Licensed 
— W. D. ScHAFER, A. Plocher and J. Houghtby. Ordained 
elder — B. F. Wade. Deacons — T. F. Davis, J. Young and S. 
Heininger. L. Scheuerman, of the Ohio Conference, was re- 
ceived and elected presiding elder. A single man's salary was 
fixed at not less than ^^150. If married, not less than $200 for 
the first two years, and after that not less than $500, besides 
house rent. 

Districts : Adrian, L. Scheuerman, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
M. J. Miller ; Flint, J. Meek. 

1872. Illinois Conference, Geneseo, 111., April 4. R.Yea- 
KEL, president; G. Vetter, secretary. Licensed — C. Byerer, 
E. D. Einsel, W. Caton and W. Schmus. W. Honstedt died. 
Ordained elders — C. Schmucker and C. Burkhart. Deacons — 
T. Alberding, G. Laugenstein, G. Eichenlaub, J. Worrick 
and G. Himmel. J. Schneider, having been elected treasurer of 
Northwestern College, resigned the office of presiding elder. 
The salary (minimum) was fixed as follows : Unordained, single, 
I250; ordained, single, $300; ordained, married, $500. C. W. 
Davis and I. Kuter, of other conferences, were received. S. 
DiCKOVER was elected traveling agent for Northwestern College. 
J. J. Kanaga took credentials for the Ohio, and the brethren 
Houpt and Culp for the Iowa Conference. 

Districts : Chicago, G. Vetter, presiding elder ; Naperville, J. 
Himmel ; Freeport, H. Rohland ; Mendota, J. Schafele ; Peoria, 
W. Goessele. 

1872. Indiana Conference, Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 12. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; J. Berger, secretary. Licensed — J 
Mode, F. Brauer, G. Berstecher, J. Hunzinger, B. F. Dill 
H. Brechtel, a. Geist and D. Light. Ordained elder — J 
Wales. Deacons — E. Trover, E. T. Hochstedler, H. E 
Overmeyer, M. Byers, S. Plantz and W. Wildermuth. H. L 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 383 

Fisher resigned the office of presiding elder and E. L. Kiplinger 
was elected in his stead. L. Kiplinger was granted credentials- 
The minimum salary of the preachers was fixed. 

Districts: Evansville, M. Moyer, presiding elder; Indian- 
apolis, J. Fuchs ; Fort Wayne, M. W. Steffey ; Elkhart, E. L.. 
Kiplinger. 

1872. Iowa Conference, Grandview, Iowa, April i8. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president ; C. C. Pfund (German) and D. H. Kooker 
(English), secretaries. Licensed — E. B. Utt, A. Heckathorn, 
E. E. BoNTA, M. Gruener, F. Loehle, P. Desgranges, L. 
Reib, J. Pflaum and H. Stelrecht. Ordained elders — W. J.. 
Hahn, W. Kleinfelter, F. Beltzer, G.Youngblood,W. King,, 
J. Knoche and C. W. Anthony. Deacons — O. Rall, J. P. Just, 
M. Knoll, W. C. Reinke, J. H. Pippert, and W. H. Newman. 
D. J. Pontius took credentials. J. Bussard, H. J. Bowman and 
H. Lageschulte were re-elected to the office of presiding elder. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, H. J. Bowman, presiding elder;, 
Dubuque, H. Lageschulte; Des Moines, Joseph Bussard; Ne- 
braska, J. E. Schultz. 

1872. Kansas Conference, Nicholas Grove, Mo., March 21. 
R. Yeakel, president; J. Wurth, secretary. Licensed — W. 
Meier, L. Wenger, W. Heiser, R. P. Condrea. Ordained 
elder — W. Lingelbach. Deacons — F.W.Volgelein, H. Koep- 
sel, C. Linge and A. Rex. J. E. Dreisbach, of the Indiana 
Conference, was received. S. W. McKesson and D. Zeller 
took credentials. 

Districts: Kansas, C. Berner, presiding elder ; Missouri, J.. 
G. Pfeuffer. 

1872. Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee, Wis., April 27. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; F. Huelster, secretary. Licensed 
— F. Nickel, F. Eilert, G. Winkelwisch, C. Schneider and 
H.Clements. Ordained elders — A. Kammerer, S. Kortmeier, 
J.C. Brendel, L. Runkel and D. Herb. Deacons — J. Schnel- 
LER and J. Dietrich. W. Kaufman was elected presiding elder. 
The salary (minimum) was fixed as follows : Unmarried proba- 
tioners, $175; unmarried deacons, $300; married deacons, $300; 
elders, $S^o. 

Districts : Milwaukee, W. F. Kaufman, presiding elder ; Fon 
du Lac, G. Fritsche ; Madison, H. Huelster; Mississippi, P^ 
Massneger. 



384 EVANGELICAL A8S0C1A TION ANNALS. 

1872. Minnesota Conference, near Blue Earth, Minn., May 
2, Bishop J. J. EsHER, presiding. There were under the care of 
the conference thirteen missions, served by fourteen missionaries, 
and three mission churches were built during the past year. 

Districts : Winona, W. Stegner, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
L. Von Wald. 

Notes. — On Jan. 24 Brother W. H. Honstett, a talented 
young minister of the Illinois Conference, died. He was born 
in 1846, and entered the active ranks of the conference in 1867. 

Father William Mentz, of the New York Conference, bom 
in Germany in 181 1, entered the Eastern Conference in 1838, 
elected presiding elder in 1843 and served several terms, and who 
was an original member of the New York Conference, died at 
Suspension Bridge, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1872. 

1873, East Pa. Conference, Tamaqua, Pa., Feb. 26. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president ; T. Bowman, secretary. Died — C.Meyers 
(itinerant) and C. Wolf (local). R. Mott received credentials. 
John Dick (local) withdrew. A. H. Overholt located. Father 
J. P. Leib was retained in the itinerancy without appointment. 
Ordained elders — W. A. Shoemaker, S. L. Wiest and R. Drei- 
BELBis. Deacons — J. F. Wohlfarth, U. H. Hershey, J. M. 
Oplinger, W. Loos and G. H. Landis. Licensed — W, Miller, 
A. W. Warfel, J. Mover, J. M. Rinker, E. Glaeser, D. Schne- 
bel, J. F. Weidner, J. Workman, J. J. High, F. B. Copp, S. 
Butterweck, W. B. Romig, W. L. Black, L. E. Leslie, G. H. 
Laurey, J. Bowman, W.Webber, S.C. Breyfogel and E.Wilson. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. S. Haman, presiding elder; Read- 
ing, G. T. Haines; Harrisburg, J. M. Saylor; Pottsville, T. 
Bowman; Allentown, S. Neitz ; Easton, J. Yeakel. 

1873. Central Pa. Conference, Lewisburg, Pa., March 6. 
bishop J. J. EsHER, president; L M. Pines, secretary. Located 
for a year — W. H. Davis, H. A. Stoke, W. M.Croman, E. Swen- 
gel and D. Kepner. Died — John Young, J. F. Manbeck and 
Abraham Snyder. Ordained elders — P. S.Orwig,W. W. Rhoads, 
P. W. Raidabaugh, H. Conrad, J. M. King and W. M. Croman. 
Deacons — N.Young, R.Young, D. P. Rumberger, J. A. Irvine, 
J. A. Hetner, J. S. Bear and B. Winegarden. Licensed — E. 
S. Brownmiller, E. Wilcox, H. W. Freed, M. D. Shirk, Abra- 
ham Sutton, P. F. Jarrett, A. W. Maxwell, H. E. Weirick, 
J. B. Curns, W. F. Reitmeyer, H. W. Kuhns, G. F. Yeager and 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 385 

J. Hendricks, and A. T. Mead of the M. E. Church. J. Kurtz, 
a former member of this conference, was again received. 

Districts : Baltimore, C. F. Deininger, presiding elder ; Car- 
lisle, A. L. Reeser ; Lewisburg, M. J. Carothers ; Williamsport, 
S. Smith. 

1873. Pittsburg Conference, Salisbury, Pa., March 13. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; L. M. Boyer. secretary. H. W. 
Hampe, J. HoNECKER, J. Crousman and S. Werner took cre- 
dentials. G. W. Cupp and J. Weikel became supernumeraries. 
Licensed to preach — Joseph Porch, H. Hurd, F. P. Saylor, 
A. M. BowLiN and G. W. Dunlap. Ordained elders — J. Wood- 
hull, A. J. Meyers, B. F. Feitt and J. Esh. Deacons — J. S. 
Seip, N. Yoder, F. Bone, T. Eisenhour, A. W. Platt, L. H. 
Hetrick and J. Bower. Received into the itinerancy — J. J. 
Carmany, F. Bone, T. Eisenhour, J. Porch, L. I. Baumgard- 
ner, D. K. Lav an, R. Mott and G.W. Fisher. J. J. Bernhart 
was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Pittsburg, S. B. Kring, presiding elder ; Canton, 
H. B. Summers; Franklin, G. S. Domer; Allegheny, J. J. Bern- 
hart ; Somerset, J. L. W. Seibert. 

1873. New York Conference, Albany, N. Y., March 6. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; J. Siegrist, secretary. Licensed 
— ^J. Burkhard, H. Horn and G. H. Gelser. Ordained elder— 
J. G. Siegrist. Deacon — C. F. Stube. J. Holzworth was 
elected presiding elder. Granted credentials — C. 0. Roehr, N. 
Geltzleichter, p. E. Glanz and G. Eckhard. 

Districts : Albany, M. Pfitzinger, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
A. Holzwarth ; Buffalo, M. Lauer. 

1873. Canada Conference, South Cayuga, Ont., April 18. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. J. G. 
Staebler and S. Morely located. Ordained elders — F. F. 
Meyer, J. Lingelbach and G. M. Graeff. Licensed— G. Fink- 
binder, Joseph Thede and G. H. Schmidt. S. Kropp, presid- 
ing elder, resigned and P. Alles was elected in his stead. The 
conference united in the interests of Northwestern College. 

Districts : Hamburgh, J.Umbach, presiding elder; Waterloo, 
W. Schmidt; Hamilton, P. Alles. 

1873. Ohio Conference, Lindsey,0., May I. W.W.Orwig, 
president; J. Lerch, secretary. Licensed— -Theo. Suhr, E. 
Britton, E. Wingard, Benjamin Oyler, G. F. Everhart and 
J. Ball. Ordained elders — E. A. Hoffman, G. Heinrich and 



886 EVANGELICAL AS80C1A TION ANNALS. 

A. Vandersall. Deacons — A. W. Orwig, D. H. Rosenberg, 
J. Sager and C. Stuckey. J. Smouse took credentials. Hiram 
SiCHLEY died. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. Stoll, presiding elder; Sandusky, C. 
M. Reinhold; Fremont, J. W. Walkey; Columbus, S. Hoy. 

1873. Illinois Conference, Forreston, 111., April 3. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; M. Stamm, secretary. C. F. Steuwig 
and W. Strausberger located. Licensed — G. Fuhs, F. Lue- 
dicke, C. Shuster, a. Strickfaden, p. Zahn andT. L. Haines. 
Ordained elders — A. Fuessele, W. Neitz, L. Glaesser, J. B. 
Rife, A. Knoble and C. Smucker. Deacons — F. Hansing, J. 
Wellner, F. Busse, D. Fehr, H. F. Lashell, J. Cable and 
H. H. DuTH. George Mattinger, formerly an itinerant in the 
Ohio Conference, died. 

Districts : Chicago, George Vetter, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, J. Himmel ; Freeport, H. Rohland ; Mendota, J. Shaeffele ; 
Peoria, W. Goessele. 

1873. Wisconsin Conference, Lomira, Wis., April 24. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; C. A. Schnake, secretary. Li- 
censed — E. Rhode, G. Kern, A. Haas, C. Gruen and C.Oertli. 
Ordained elders — M. C. Werner, W. Kaun, F. Diete, H. Uphoff 
and A. Pipenburg. Deacons — F. Nickel and J. U. Elmer. 
H. Guelich was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Madison, H. Guelich, presiding elder ; Milwaukee, 
F. Kauffman; FonduLac,G. Fritche; Mississippi, P. Massueger. 

1873. Minnesota Conference, Painsville, Minn. Bishop J. 
J. EsHER, president; H. E. Linse, secretary. Ordained elder — 
A. Walch. Deacons — C. W. Sydow and H. Hensel. 

Districts: Winona, W. Stegner, presiding elder; St. Paul, 
L.VonWald. 

1873. Indiana Conference, East Germantown, Ind., Sept. 
II. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; J. Berger, secretary. W. 
LuETHER, C. Heim and H. R. Price located. G. A. Hertel 
died. Licensed — John Stover, S. Shoop, J. N. Loop, W. H. 
Jones and E. Bolander. P. Burgner was reinstated as an elder. 
Ordained elders — W. Koenig, J. Maurer and S. S. Condo. 
Deacons — J. Bockman, H. Schleicher, C. Stockhow, J. C. 
Young, G. W. Brackley and H. W. Funk. J. Berger accepted 
work in Germany. C. F. Hansig, of the Illinois, J. Beck, of 
the Kansas, and M. Speck, of the Michigan Conference, were 
received. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 387 

Districts: Evansville, M. Meyer, presiding elder; Indianap- 
olis, J. Fuchs; Fort Wayne, M. Steftey ; Elkhart, E. L. Kiplinger. 

1873. Iowa Conference, La Porte, Iowa. Bishop J. J. 
EsHER, president; D. H. Kooker, secretary. Licensed — S. H. 
WiTTE, G. KoEHN, T. R. Matter, F. Schultzky and A. T. Wil- 
KiNS. Ordained elders — C. W. Anthony, C. C. Pfund, W. H. 
Bucks, G. Breuner, J. McCauley and O. Long. Deacons — 
A. Bussard and A.Wagoner. H. Lageshulte, presiding elder, 
resigned and J. Henn was elected in his place. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, H. J. Bowman, presiding elder; 
Dubuque, J. Henn; Des Moines, Joseph Bussard; Nebraska, 
E. J. Schultz. 

1873. Michigan Conference, Delta, O., March 27. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; J. M. Houg, secretary. Licensed — J. 
Miller, A. Rupel, W. Berge and P. Berg. Granted creden- 
tials — J. Long, C. Thomas and M. Speck. Ordained elders — 
J. H. Keeler, J. H. Hess and W. Reimke. Deacons — J. Long, 
J. W. Loose, L. Kemmerling, F. Dietrich, L. Brumm and F. 
Schweitzer. C. Roehm located. M. J. Miller, presiding 
elder, resigned and S. Copley was elected in his place. '* Re- 
solved, that we as a conference unite with Northwestern College 
and Biblical Institute." 

Districts: Adrian, L.Scheuerman, presiding elder; St. Joseph, 
S. Copley; Flint, J. Meek. 

1873. Kansas Conference, Holton, Kan., March 20. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; J. Wuerth, secretary. Licensed — H. 
Toedman and J. McQuilling. Ordained elders — C. Emmel 
and E. J. Troyer. Deacons — J. C. Emmel, W. Meier and F. 
Harder. J. G. Pfeiffer was re-elected and J. Wuerth newly 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Kansas, J. G. Pfeiffer, presiding elder; Missouri, 
J. Wuerth. 

Notes. — At the beginning of the year was published the Ever- 
green, the first Sunday-school music book, by Rev. E. A. Hoff- 
man. It was received with great favor. The Church Record 
also made its appearance in the Spring. 

The total number of missions supported by the Church was 
248, an increase of twenty-eight over the previous year. Twenty- 
five churches were erected on the mission fields during the year. 

This year marks the loss to the Church of a number of her 
most prominent men by the hand of death, as follows : Alex. 



:iS8 EVAN'GELICAL ASSOCIATIOK ANNALS. 

LoNGSDORF, born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1812, entered the 
Eastern Conference in 1838, was elected presiding elder in 1844,. 
re-elected in 1848 and 185 2, and died at Loganton, Clinton county, 
Pa., in 1876. Brother Longsdorf spent thirty-three years in 
the active work. He was an excellent preacher in both the Eng- 
lish and German languages. 

C. A. ScHNAKE, born in Germany in 18 19, and entered the 
Illinois Conference in 1849. He was an original member of the 
Wisconsin Conference, in which he served three years as presiding 
elder. He died at Jefferson, Wis., in 1876. Brother Schnake 
was a highly gifted man and a tireless worker, and his services 
in establishing the Evangelical Association in the West were very 
valuable. 

George Hertel, born in Germany in 182 1, and was for many 
years one of the leading members of the Indiana Conference. 
He was elected presiding elder in 1864. He died at Elkhart, 
Ind., July 12, 1873. 

Christian Myers, born in Switzerland in 18 14, entered the 
East Pa. Conference in 1839, ^^^ ^^.s for many years one of the 
principal members. He was elected presiding elder in 1856, and 
served one term. He died at Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 22, 1873. 

1874. East Pa. Conference, Salem Church, Allentown, Pa., 
Feb. 26. Bishop R.Yeakel, president; T. Bowman, secretary. 
Licensed — I. J. Reitz, J. Hollenbach, H. Shultz and Aug. 
DiLABAR. Ordained elders — B. H. Miller, D. S. Stauffer, J. 
A. Eager, A. A. DeLong, I. W. Yeakel, J. K. Fehr, E. J. Mil- 
ler and O. L. Saylor. Deacons — J. S. Newhart, J. Bowman, 
D. A. Medlar, A. Markley, H. R. Yost and E. J. Glasser. 
Died — E. Eby (itinerant) and D. Thomas, E. Snyder and D. 
Light (locals). G. T. Haines resigned the office of presiding 
elder, and C. S. Haman was re-elected and S. G. Rhoads and 
C. K. Fehr were newly elected to the office. Missions were 
established in Southwestern Reading, Scranton,Lehighton, North- 
ern Allentown, Bangor, and English missions in Harrisburg and 
Mauch Chunk. The following were constituted stations : Tre- 
mont, Ashland, Hazleton, Orwigsburg and Slatington. 

A committee of seven was appointed to take active steps in 
the location of an institution of learning, and Thomas Bowman 
was appointed as collector to secure funds for its establishment. 

Districts: Philadelphia, S.G. Rhoads, presiding elder; Read- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 389 

ing, C. S. Haman; Harrisburg, C. K. Fehr; Pottsville, T.Bowman; 
Allentown, J. M. Saylor; Easton, J. Yeakel. 

1874. Central Pa. Conference, Carlisle, Pa., March 5. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president; I. M. Pines, secretary. Licensed — 
J. F. Thomas, G. Gohn, J. R. Smith, J. E. Courter, B. Garri- 
son, W. E. Shoemaker, D. P. Kline, D. G. Peters, A. F.- 
Terwilliger. Ordained elders — G. L. Burson, A. W. Shen- 
berger, R. J. Derrick and L. K. Harris. Deacons — J. Dum, 
P. Graham, P. Coup, N. T. Meads, L. Matthias, J. M. Brader, 
A. W. Bower, E. Kleinfelter, H. N. Grenninger, R. W. 
Runyan, J. M. LoNGSDORF, E. Swengel, G. W. Currin, F. M. 
Baker and G. F. Yeager. C. H. Gramley took credentials. 

Districts: Baltimore, C. F. Deininger, presiding elder; Car- 
lisle, A. L. Reeser; Lewisburg, M. J. Carothers; Williamsport, 
S. Smith. 

1874, Pittsburg Conference, North Lima, O., March 12. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president; L. M. Boyer, secretary. Licensed — 
J. A. BuRKETT, A. S. Baumgardner, W. a. Reininger, D. Mor- 
rison, J. YuNDT, J. Vandyke, N. George, S. A. Milliron, F. 
Strayer andW. Diser. Ordained elders — D. M. Baumgard- 
ner, S. M. Baumgardner and J. King. Deacons — J. Kern, 
T. J. Baumgardner, T. Bach, J. Garner, W. M. Stanford and 

A. W. Teats. Because of declining health, H. B. Summers 
resigned the office of presiding elder, S. B. Kring was re-elected 
and J. A. Grimm and A. Niebel were newly elected to the same. 
Granted credentials — A. J. Myers, J. Arkless and D.W. Ortz. 

Districts: Pittsburg, A. Niebel, presiding elder; Canton, S. 

B. Kring; Franklin, G. S. Domer; Allegheny, J. J. Bernhart; 
Somerset, J. A. Grimm. 

1874. New York Conference, Syracuse, N. Y., March 26. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; A. Unholtz, secretary. Licensed— 
H. Newinger and J. Vossler. Ordained elders — J. Reuber, 

C. L.Witt and A. Schlenk. Deacon — J. H. Damm. Located — 
L. Jacoby. 

Districts: Albany, M. Pfitzinger, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
A. Holzwarth; Buffalo, M. Lauer. 

1874. Canada Conference, Carrick,Ont., April 23. Bishop 
R. Yeakel, president ; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Ordained 
elders — C. Pfeffer and H. Dierlam. Deacon — S. L.Umbach. 
G. Bernhart, located. W. Lingelbach, of the Kansas Confer- 
ence, was received. J. G. Staebler, John Lingelbach and 



390 E VANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

Jacob Anthes died. J. Umbach was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Hamilton, P. Alles, presiding elder; Hamburg, 
W. Schmidt; Waterloo, J. Umbach. 

1874. Ohio Conference, Circleville, O., May 7. Bishop 
R. Yeakel, president; H. Longbrake, secretary. F. Zeller 
took credentials. J. J. Kanaga, A. Rex, D. J. Pontius, A. Shaub 
and C. Gahn were received with the same. Licensed — J. E. 
Stewart, F. Stecher, J. Isch, S. Gammertsfelder, R. Smith, 
D. C. EcKERMAN, S. CocKLiN and F. SwARTZ. Ordained elders — 
J. D. Seip and G. W. Miesse. Deacons — L. W. Hankey, G. 
Ellenberger, H. Spitler, a. C. Stoll, D. Sherrick and W. 
Snyder. Elias Sichley died. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. Stoll, presiding elder; Sandusky, C. 
M. Reinhold; Fremont, J. W. Walkey; Columbus, S. Hoy. 

1874* Michigan Conference, Flint, Mich., April 2. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; S. Henne, secretary. N. T. Davis died. 
O. Ragatz located. Ordained elders — S. Heininger and J. 
Young. Deacons — F. Miller, E. K. Dewitt, J. Schmus, G. 
Haller, W. Berge, G. Kutler and J. Miller. S. Copley 
resigned the office of presiding elder on account of ill-health, and 
J. M. HouG was newly elected and J. Meck re-elected to the office. 

Districts : Detroit, J. Meck, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, L. 
Scheuerman; Saginaw, J. M. Houg. 

1874. Illinois Conference, Kankakee, 111., April 9. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; M. Stamm (German) and D. B. Byers 
(English), secretaries. Ordained elders — Prof. A. A. Smith, 
Prof. W. F. Heidner, G. Eichenlaub and T. Alberding. Dea- 
con — W. Schmus. Licensed — J. Fry, A. Riemensnyder, C. 
Koch, J. W. Ferner, C. Riegel, H. Eller and D. W. Fink. 
J. ScHAAD, of the M. E. Church, was received. F. C. Stuebig 
withdrew. N. Leonard and W. Grissinger (locals) died. J. 
Himmel resigned the office of presiding elder, and W. Goessele 
and H. Hintze were elected to the same. S. Swartz, J. Den- 
gel, E. E. Condo and J. J. Kanaga took credentials for other 
conferences. 

Districts : Chicago, G. Vetter, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
W. Goessele ; Freeport, H. Rohland ; Mendota, J. Schaffle ; 
Peoria, H. Hintze. 

1874, Wisconsin Conference, Menomonee Falls, Wis. , April 
30. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Schnake, secretary. 



CONFERENCE HECOBDS. 391 

Newly received — F. Homuth and C. Heineck. Ordained elders 
— J. Deitrich, a. Piepenburg and J. Schneller. Deacons — 
C. Schneider and F. Eilert. 

Districts: Milwaukee, F.W. Kaufman, presiding elder; Mad- 
ison, H, Guelich; Fon du Lac, G. Fritsche; Mississippi, P. 
Massueger. 

1874. Iowa Conference, Ackley, Iowa, April i6. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; C.C. Pfund (German) and D. H. Kooker 
(English), secretaries. Licensed — J. H. Yaggy, J. A. Rank, C. 
Manwell, J. W. Steinbach, G. Heinmiller, E. Miller, W. 
Jonas, J. B. Cole and F. Erase, Located — O. Long, J. Rank 
and G. Eckert. Ordained elders — W. H. Newman, O. Rall, 
M. Knoll, J, H. Pippert, J. J. Miller, J. P. Just, W. C. Reinke 
and C. Hiller. Deacons — E. B. Utt, L. Keep, A. P. Haupt, 
A. C. Heckathorne, E. E. Bonta, A. J. Culver, J. P. Pflaum, 
M. Gruener, H. Stettrecht, F. Loehle, W. Werfeld and J. 
F. Hahn. Supernumerary — J. Harlacher, H. J. Bowman and 
J. Nuhn. H. J. Bowman resigned the office of presiding elder, 
and E, J. Schultz was re-elected and H. Brauer and D. H. 
Kooker newly elected to the same. Missions were located at 
Stanton, Aurora, Sioux City, Humboldt, Grand Junction, Moin- 
gona, Seneca, Nora Springs and Boone. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, Joseph Buzzard, presiding elder; 
Dubuque, E. J. Schultz ; Des Moines, D. H. Kooker ; Ackley, 
J. Henn; Nebraska, H. Brauer, 

1874. Kansas Conference, near Rulo, Neb., March 19. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; C. Berner, secretary. George 
Merk was licensed. H. Alleman and B. Hoffman withdrew. 
Located — W. Folgate and W. Luttman. W. Lingelbach took 
credentials. Ordained elders — H. Koepsel, F. W. Volgelein 
and C. Linge. Deacons — L. Wenger and J. H. Kiplinger. 
E. E. CoNDo, of the Illinois Conference, was received. 

Districts : Kansas, J. G. Pfeiffer, presiding elder ; Missouri, 
J. Wuerth. 

1874. Minnesota Conference, Salem Church, Olmstead 
county, Minn., May 7. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; H. E. 
LiNSE, secretary. Licensed — B. Simon, C. Sydow, J. Gongall, 
C. Stegner and C. Roedge. Ordained elders — J. Manthey, 
W. Lenz, J. L. Stegner, P. Bott and C. A. Schmidt. Deacons — 
M. Knopf, W. Oehler and F. Sahr. A. Strohmeier was elected 
presiding elder. Mankato District was formed. 



392 E VANOELIGAL A880GIA Tl ON ANNALS. 

Districts: Winona, W. Stegner, presiding elder; St. Paul, L. 
Von Wald ; Mankota, A. Strohmeier. 

1874. Indiana Conference, Noblesville, Ind., Sept. lo. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; M. Hoehn, secretary. J, Stoll 
died. Located — H. Praechtel,W.Wildermuth and H. Price. 
J. Keiper, a. Parker and J. Ressler took credentials. Licensed 
— J. Reamer, N. Platz, J. Schamber, G. Roederer, J. Dust- 
man, J. Fritz and J. Sutter. Ordained elders — E. H. Over- 
meyer, E. T. Hochstedler and E. Troyer. Deacons — G. W. 
Freehafer, a. Guist, E. D. Einsel, C. C. Beyrer, A. Shaefer, 
F. Brauer, a. Troyer and A. V. Scheidler. J. Ressler was 
granted credentials. 

Districts: Evansville, M. Mayer, presiding elder; Indian- 
apolis, J. Fuchs ; Fort Wayne, M. W. Steffey ; Elkhart, E. L. 
Kipplinger. 

Notes. — During this year the remarkable temperance move- 
ment, called the Woman's Crusade, was at the height of its influ- 
ence, and consequently we find the temperance resolutions of the 
various conferences very radical, atid a number of them fully 
endorse the methods followed by the Woman's Crusade. 

On Oct. 8 the new Evangelical Publishing House at Cleveland 
was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. Dedicatory addresses 
were delivered by Bishops Esher and Yeakel, and historical 
addresses by various other brethren. The structure cost ^3 7, coo. 

During this year the Church maintained 270 missions, 26 
having been stricken from the list. The actual increase over the 
previous year was 48. The number of church edifices erected 
on the mission fields during the year was 35. 

By a reference to the statistics for this, year the reader will 
observe a remarkable increase of conversions and accessions 
over the previous year. This ratio of increase was pretty evenly 
maintained throughout the entire bounds of the Church. 

1875, East Pa. Conference, Millersburg, Pa., Feb. 24. 
Bishops J. J. Esher and R. Yeakel, presidents ; C. B. Fliehr 
(German) and J. C. Hornberger (English), secretaries. Li- 
censed — J. C. Waehlte, J. D. Campbell, M. L. Custer, J. A. 
Transue, H. J. Click, F. E. Erdman, G. W. Gross, A. Krecker 
and S. T. Leopold. Ordained elders — U. H. Hershey, J. F. 
WoHLFARTH and J. M. Oplinger. Deacons — T. Hess, William 
Black, G. H. Laury, J. M. Rinker, A. Straub, C. S. Brown 
and A. Warfel. Died — R. Driebelbis (itinerant) and I. Ober- 



CONFERENCE REGOUDS. 393: 

HOLTZER, C. Yeakel and George Reich (locals). Resolutions 
recommending Cedar Hill Seminary, Mt. Joy, Pa., were adopted. 

Districts : Philadelphia, S. G. Rhoads, presiding elder ; Read- 
ing, C. S. Haman; Harrisburg, C. K. Fehr; Pottsville, S. Neitz - 
Alientown, J. M. Saylor; Easton, T. Bowman. 

1875. Central Pa. Conference, New Berlin, Pa., March 4. 
Bishop J. J.Esher, president; I. M. Pines, secretary. Licensed — 
C. C. Reen, J. Laden. O. Barges, J. Shambach, P. W. Group, 
B. F. Keller, S. O. Musselman, D. Fry, J. H. Peters, J. 
Shultz, I. Bower, C. Price, H. Wagoner, J. D. Stover, G. H. 
ScHLEH, G. Carothers, G. Hoffman and B. F. Anthony ; also 
J. James and J. Archer, of the M. E. Church. Ordained elders — 
R. Young, R. C. Bowersox, N. Young, J. H. Hetner, J. A. 
Irvine and W. H. Stover. Deacons — A. Stapleton, H. S. 
Bowers and W. N. Wallace; also I. S. Frain and I. Vonedi 
(locals). E. Kohr and S. W. Seibert were elected presiding 
elders. D. P. Rumberger and W, E. Weirick took credentials 
for other conferences. 

Districts: Baltimore, E. Kohr, presiding elder; Carlisle, 
S. W. Seibert; Lewisburg, A. L. Reeser; Williamsport, M. J. 
Carothers. 

1875. Pittsburg Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 18. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; L. M. Boyer, secretary. Li^ 
censed — ^J. More, F. Baumgardner, E. C. Martin, J. Swartz, 
P. Hauptfueher, E. W. Smith, I. A. Smith, D. Saylor, E. P. 
Hare, J. Weaver and W. Yoder. Ordained elders — T. Eisen- 
hower, J. Seip, a. W. Platt, N. Yoder, F. Bone and L. H. 
Hetrick. Deacons — G. W. White, D. K. La van, J. Portch, 
S. Milliron, G. W. Dunlap, J. J. Carmany and J. P. Saylor. 
Died — E. Stoever and E. B. Vandyke. G. W. Fisher located. 

Districts: Pittsburg, A. Niebel, presiding elder; Canton, S. 
B. Kring ; Franklin, G. S. Domer ; Allegheny, J. J. Bernhart ; 
Somerset, J. A. Grimm. 

1875. New York Conference, Rochester, N.Y., March 25. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; A.Unholtz, secretary. Licensed 
— J. Risius,C. Brant, J.Eberling, and W. Waterman. Ordained 
elders — J. Lang and C. F. Stube. Deacons— H. Horn, G. H. 
Gelser, a. Bornheimer and L. Schleich. M. Pfitzinger 
resigned the office of presiding elder, and M. Lauer was re-elected 
and M. Lehn newly elected to the office. The conference united 
in the interests of Northwestern College. 



394 E VANGELICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

Districts : Albany, M. Lauer, presiding elder : Rochester, 
A. Holzwarth; Buffalo, M. Lehn. 

1875. Canada Conference, Woolwich. Ont., April 15. W. 
Schmidt, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Licensed — J. 
A. Schmidt, F. Haist and W. Simmons. Ordained deacons — 
G. FiNKBEiNER and H. G. Schmidt. W. Schmidt was re-elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts: Hamilton, P. Alles, presiding elder; Hamburg, 
W. Schmidt ; Waterloo, Joseph Umbach. 

1875. Ohio Conference, Tiffin, O., April 22. Bishop J. J. 
EsHER, president; H. Longbrake, secretary. Licensed — E. L. 
Over, M. Mohn, D. Ewald and J. Stoltz. A. P. Dutcher, 
M.D., was received from the M. E. Church. Ordained elders — 
J. Yauch, a. W. Orwig and D. H. Rosenberg. Deacons — T. 
SuHR, E. Wengert, W. a. Shissler and J. Drinkwater. H. 
Zimmerman and D. Wolf (locals) died. J. K. Pontius located. 
C. Ehrhart took credentials ; also J. Lawrence and F. Stecher 
(locals) . S. Hoy and J. W. Walkey were re-elected presiding elders. 

Districts: Sandusky, J. Stoll, presiding elder; Cleveland, S. 
Hoy ; Fremont, C. M. Reinhold ; Columbus, J. W. Walkey. 

1875. Wisconsin Conference, Mazomane, Wis., April 29. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; A. Tarnutzer, secretary. Li- 
censed — F. Illian, C. Kunst, F. Nehs, W. Kolander, H. 
KiEKHOEFER, W. Henneman and H. Hosli. Ordained elders — J. 
U. Elmer and F. Nickel. Deacons — H. Clements, C.Oertle, 
G. Kern, C. Green and E. Rothe. W. F. Kaufman died. A. 
YocKEL located. G. FrItsche was again elected and H. Huel- 
ster, H. Shelp and M. Wittenwyler were newly elected pre- 
siding elders. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder; Madison, 
H. Huelster; FonduLac, H. Schelp; Mississippi, M. Wittenwyler. 

1875. Illinois Conference, Elgin, 111., Aprils. Bishops J. 
J. Esher and R. Yeakel, presidents; M. Stamm, secretary. 
Ordained elders — H. H. Duth, H. F. Lashell, F. Busse, D. E. 
Fehr and J. Wellner. Deacons — A. Strickfaden, C. Shuster, 
P. Zahn, J. F. Grob, G. C. Knoble and G. Fuchs. Received 
into the ministry — E. Elfring, W. Fry, W. Shuster, J. Klip- 
hart. G. Messner located. P. Hoffman and C. Holl died. 

Districts : Chicago, G. Vetter, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
W. Goessele; Freeport, H. Rohland; Mendota, J. Schaffele; 
Peoria, H. Hintze. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 395 

1875. Iowa Conference, Belle Plaine, Iowa, April 1 5 . Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; H. J. Bowman, secretary. Licensed — 
F. Backmeier, G. G. Zellhofer, M. Hart, W. Fisher, R. 
ScHMiTZ, P. RiCKEL and O. Beck, and J. G. Bixler, of the U. 
B. Church. Ordained elders — ^A. Buzzard and A. Wagoner. 
Deacons — S. H. Witte, A. Houser, G. Koehn, F. Schnelsky, 
S. A. Pettit and G. Herring. J. Nuhn died. J. Croasman, 
A. J. Culver and C. H. Egge took credentials. N. Schuck, 
of the Wisconsin Conference, was received. Resolutions recom- 
mending the division of the conference by the next General 
Conference were adopted. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, J. Buzzard, presiding elder; Des 
Moines, D. H. Kooker; Dubuque, E. J. Shultz ; Ackley, J. Henn; 
Nebraska, H. Brauer. 

1875. Minnesota Conference, East Prairie, Minn., May 7. 
W. Stegner, president; H. E. Linse, secretary. Licensed — 
T. Fondri and G. Brizius. Ordained elders— C. W. Sydow and 
H. Hensel. Deacons — L. Passer F. Moede and J. Zimmer- 
man. C. Brill was newly elected and W. Stegner re-elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Winona, A. Strohmeier, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
W. Stegner ; Mankato, C. Brill. 

1875. Michigan Conference, La Salle, Mich., April i. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; E. Weiss, secretary. Licensed — 
N. G. Curtis, A. Fry, G. Provost, P. Brumm and C. Staffeld. 
Ordained elders — L. Brumm, J. W. Loose, F. Sweitzer, L. 
Kemmerling and F. Dietrich. Deacon — W. Schefer. C. 
BiCKEL (local) died. C. Dieke located. J. Meck resigned the 
office of presiding elder and S. Copley was elected to the same. 
L. Scheurman also resigned the office of presiding elder and 
E. Weiss was elected in his stead. Samuel Heininger took an 
appointment in Oregon under the Board of Missions. 

Districts : Detroit, E. Weiss, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, S. 
Copley; Saginaw, J. M. Houg. 

1875. Kansas Conference, near Lawrence, Kan., March 18. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
S. Weaver, J. Brower and C. Buchel. C. Erhart, of the 
Ohio Conference, was received. Ordained elders — W. Meier 
and F. Harder. Deacons — W. Heiser and D. K. Zeller. 
H. Mattill was elected presiding elder A new district called 
Southwestern District was formed. 



396 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS, 

Districts: Missouri, J. Wuerth, presiding elder; Hoi ten, J. 
G. Pfeifer; Southwestern, H. Mattill. 

1875. Indiana Conference, Mt. Carmel, 111., Sept. 2^ 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; M. Hoehn, secretary. Licensed — 
C. Stier, C. Hansing, J. Kolmer, G. Frederick, H. B. Lyons^ 
J. Bruckert and L. W. Crawford. Ordained elders — H.. 
Schleicher, W. G. Brackly, F. Hansing, J. C. Young and C. 
Stockhowe, Deacon — G. Berstecher. J. Mauer located. 
A. Parker, S. Heiss and J. Ressler withdrew. H. L. Fisher 
and M. Kreuger were newly elected and M. W. Steffey and 
J. FucHs were re-elected presiding elder. H. E.Overmeyer, C. 
Glaus and R. Riegel took credentials. 

Districts : Olney, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Evansville, H. 
L. Fisher ; Indianapolis, M. Kreuger ; Fort Wayne, E. L. Kip- 
linger ; Elkhart, M, W. Steffey. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Sixteenth General Conference, Held at Philadelphia, Pa., 
Oct. 14-N0V. 4, 1875. 

1875. General Conference, sixteenth session, Philadelphia, 
Pa., Oct. 14-N0V. 4. J. J. Esher, R. Yeakel, R. Dubs and T. 
Bowman, bishops; H. Huelster, secretary; R. Mott, E. J. 
Schultz, J. C. Hornberger, H. B. Hartzler and S. Smith, 
assistant secretaries. 

The conference was addressed by J. Rothweiler, fraternal 
delegate from the General Conference of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Bishop Simpson, of the same Church, also favored 
the conference with a very edifying address. 

Memorial services were held in respect to Father J. P. Leib, 
a member of the last General Conference, and who recently had 
entered upon his eternal rest. 

Inasmuch as great preparations were being made for the cele- 
bration of the one hundredth anniversary of American Independ- 
ence, the conference referred the matter to a committee. The 
report, which was adopted, finds ample reasons for recognizing 
the hand of God in our national history, and suggests that during 
the Centennial year (1876) appropriate services, commemorative 
of the event, be held, and that memorial funds be raised for 
educational purposes, etc. 

It was resolved (i) to publish a monthly, eight-page, illus- 
trated Sunday-school paper, for use in primary department work ; 
(2) the Sunday- School Messenger and Christ liche Kinderfreund 
shall also be published weekly; (3) a monthly Sunday-school 
journal shall be published; (4) the revised German hymn book 
shall be published in two forms; (5) a revised English hymn 
book with notes shall be published. 



398 EVANGELICAL ASSOGIA TION ANNALS. 

(i) The southern part of Indiana Conference was constituted 
into South Indiana Conference. (2) The English work in the 
Iowa Conference was constituted the Des Moines Conference. 
(3) The Iowa Conference was also authorized to form the Ne- 
braska District into a conference within the coming four years, 
provided two-thirds of the members of the Iowa Conference shall 
agree to the same. (4) The Germany Conference was ** vested 
with the right and power to divide her territory according to 
best judgment into two conference districts.'* (5) A Germaa 
conference was constituted of the German congregations along: 
the Atlantic seaboard and called the Atlantic Conference. (6) A 
German conference was constituted in the interior, called the 
Erie Conference. (7) The work on the Pacific Coast was con- 
stituted into **The Pacific Conference." Steps shall be taken at 
once to provide for organization. The bishops shall designate 
the time and place of the first session. 

Elections : Bishops, J. J. Esher, R. Yeakel, R. Dubs and 
T. Bowman ; publisher, W. F. Schneider ; editor of Chrisiliche 
Botschaftery M. Lauer ; Evangelical Messenger , J. Hartzler ;. 
Evangelical Magazine and German Sunday- School Literature, 
W. Horn ; Living Epistle and English Sunday- School Litera- 
ture, H. J. Bowman ; Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary 
Society, J. Young ; Treasurer of the Missionary Society, W. 
Yost; Superintendent of Orphan's Home, Jacob Dreisbach; 
editor of Evangelische Botschaftery J. Kaechele ; Kinderfreund, 
G. Fuessele ; book agent in Germany, J. Waltz. 

After some discussion, it was resolved to establish a mission 
in Japan, and the Board of Missions was instructed to undertake 
the work as soon as two suitable men can be found. Before the 
vote was taken C. F. Deininger, of the Central Pa. Conference, 
suggested a season of silent prayer, after which the vote was- 
taken amid great enthusiasm, resulting unanimously in favor of 
the mission. 

The last General Conference having appointed a Committee 
on Questions of Law, said committee submitted their report on 
upwards of twenty questions, which was adopted and ordered to 
be appended to the Discipline. 

As the advisability of changing our Church name had been 
agitated for some time, recommendations to that effect were sub- 
mitted to the General Conference. After a full discussion on the 
subject, the matter was disposed of negatively. 



CONFERENCE BECORDIS. 399 

Delegates — East Pa. Conference. — Thos. Bowman, J. Yea- 
kel, J. M. Saylor, J. Koehl, S. G. Rhoads, C. S. Haman, J. O. 
Lehr, F. Hoffman, S. Neitz, L. Snyder, J. C. Homberger, C. 
K. Fehr, and F. Krecker alternate for J. P. Leib, deceased. 

Central Fa. Conference. — M. J. Carothers, S. Smith, C. F. 
Deininger, E. Kohr, S. W. Seibert, I. M. Pines, A. L. Reeser, 
H. B. Hartzler and B. Hengst. Also S. T. Buck, alternate in 
place of the latter, who was necessitated to leave. 

Pittsburg Conference. — G. S. Domer, J. L. W. Seibert, J. 
D. Domer, J. J. Bernhart, S. B. Kring, R. Mott and H. B. Sum- 
mers. 

New York Conference. — M. Lauer, M. Pfitzinger, A. Holz- 
worth and M. Lehn. 

Ohio Conference.—]. Stoll, J. W. Walkey, W. W. Orwig, C. 
M. Reinhold, D. Strohman, G. F. Spreng, S. Hoy, C. Hammer 
and J. Lerch. 

Canada Conference. — P. Alles, C. A. Thomas and J. Umbach; 
alternate, F. Herlan. 

Indiana Conference. — M. W. Steffy, E. L. Kiplinger, J. 
Fuchs, M. Krueger, J. Kaufman and M. Mayer ; alternate, M. 
Hoehn. 

Michigan Conference. — J. M. Haug, S. Coply and J. Mueller; 
alternate, E. Weiss. 

Illinois Conference. — W. Goessele, G. Vetter, H. Rohland, 
J. Himmel, J. Schneider, D. B. Byers, J. Schaffle, S. Dickover, 
H. Hintze, M. Stamm and C. Hummel. 

Iowa Conference. — J. Bossert, H. Brauer, H. J. Bowman, 
J. Henn, E. J. Shultz, J. F. Berner, D. H. Kooker and H. 
Lageschulte. 

Wisconsin Conference. — G. Fritsche, M. Wittenwyler, H. 
Huelster, C. F. Zimmerman, H. Schelp, C. A. Schnake and 
A. Tarnutzer. 

Minnesota Conference. — W. Stegner, C. Brill and A. Stroh- 
mier. 

Kansas Conference. — ^J. G. Pfeuffer and J. Wuerth. 

Germany Conference. — J. Kaechele and J. Waltz. 

Ex-officio Delegates. — W. F. Schneider, W. Horn, R. Dubs, 
J. Young, J. Hartzler and W. Yost. 

1876. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Febru- 
ary 23. Bishop R. Yeakel, president; W. K. Wieand, secre- 
tary. Licensed — J. Shirey, J. W. Wohrley, J. W. Hoover, 



400 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Dr. F. Krecker, J. R. Hensel and S. H. Dunkelberger. 
Ordained elders — ^J. Bowman, H. R. Yost, A. Markly, J. S. 
Newhart and D. A. Medlar. Deacons — S. T. Leopold, 
H. D. Shultz, I. J. Reitz, A. Dilabar, A. Krecker and G. 

D. Sweigert. Died — J. P. Leib, S. G. Rhoads and J. 
Shell. W. C. Kantner and M. Guhl took credentials. J. O. 
Lehr and J. E. Knerr were newly, and J. M. Saylor was re- 
elected presiding elder. H. A. Neitz was elected as collector 
ior the proposed Centennial College. 

Districts: Philadelphia, J. M. Saylor, presiding elder; Read- 
ing, C. S. Haman; Harrisburg, C. K. Fehr; Pottsville, I. E. 
-Knerr; Allentown, S. Neitz; Bethlehem, J. O. Lehr. 

1876. Central Pa. Conference, Green Street Evangelical 
Church, Baltimore, Md., March 2. Bishop T. Bowman, presi- 
^dent; U. F. Swengel, secretary. Licensed — J. W. Lindsey, 
J. F. McCachran, D. S. Lepley, H. S. Basom, J. J. Lohr, F. 
Passmore, George Josephs, H. W. Lilly, P. C. Weidemyer 
and J. Hertz. Ordained elders — E. Swengel, G. W. Currin, 
G. F. Yeager, L. Matthias, P. M. Coup, J. M. Longsdorf, 
J. M. Brader, H. N. Greninger. F. M. Baker and A. W. 
Bower. Deacons — D. P. Kline, J. E. Courter, P. F. Jarrett, 
L. Dice and George Carothers. Located — P. Graham, H. 
Conrad and H. H. Ream. Withdrawn — S. Wolf. Died — 
J. M. Young. Granted credentials — G. F, Yeager, A. Rear- 
ICK, S. O. Musselman, H. Hummelbach and D. C. Frey. 
Jacob Young and H. E. Weirick were again received. M. J. 
Carothers and A. L. Reeser were re-elected presiding elders. 
S. Buck was elected as collector for the projected Centennial 
College. H. B. Hartzler, assistant editor of the Evangelical 
Messenger. 

Districts : York, S. W. Seibert, * presiding elder ; Carlisle, 

E. Kohr; Lewisburg, A. S. Reeser; Williamsport, M. J. Ca- 
"rothers. 

1876. Pittsburg Conference, Franklin Pa., March 16. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; L. M. Boyer, secretary. Li- 
censed — ^J. Smith, E. Duffy, J. S. Mercer and R. Reed. 
Ordained elders — T. Bach, W. M. Stanford, A. W. Teats 
and I. A. Rohland. Deacons — J. A. Smith, A. S. Baum- 
•gardner and W. A. Reininger. Died — W. H. Stoll. A. 
Rearick, of the Central Pa. Conference, was received. A. 
JSfiEBEL resigned the office of presiding elder and G. S. Domer 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 401 

was re-elected to the same. Granted credentials — W. Schmidt. 
J. Stroup, a local preacher of the U. B. Church, was received. 
J. Weikel and G. W. Cupp were granted a supernumerary rela- 
tion. 

Districts : Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder ; Franklin, 
S. B. Kring; Allegheny, J. J. Bernhart ; Somerset, J. A. Grimm, 

1876. New York Conference, Ebenezer, near Buffalo, N. Y. , 
March 9. Bishop R. Yeakel, president; J. Siegrist, secre- 
tary. G. Flegler was received on probation. Ordained 
elders — J. Burkhardt, J. Vosseler, H. Newinger and C. 
MowiTz. Deacons — J. Schaff was superannuated. T. Schneider 
was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Albany, T. Schneider, presiding elder ; Rochester ; 
A. Holzwarth ; Buffalo, M. Lehn. 

1876. Canada Conference, Campden, Ont., April 20. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Li- 
censed — H. A. Thomas and A. Eby. Ordained elder — S. L. 
Umbach. Deacon — F. Swartz. F. F. Meyer was granted 
credeDtials. 

Districts: Hamilton, P. Alles, presiding elder; Waterloo, 
J. Umbach; Hamburg, W. Schmidt. 

1876. Ohio Conference, West Salem, Ohio, April 13. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. Lerch, secretary. Died — 
W. Snyder. E. C. Turner, H. Wissler, J. Frankhouser, 
W. H. Ingel and W. Wonder took credentials. J. Yauch and 
J. Drinkwater, located. Licensed — J. Hoy, A. Evans, S. P. 
Spreng, E. Loose, J. Hensel, H. Brenneman, J. O. Stoll, 
J. W. Smith, P. W. Bidelbach and F. Shubert. S. S. Condo, 
of the Indiana Conference, J. Mason, of the U. B. Church, 
and W. Horn, of the Congregational Church, were received. 
Ordained elders — G. W. Ellenberger, L. W. Hankey and H. 
Spitler. Deacons — J. E. Stewart, B. C. Oyler, D. Ellen- 
berger and S. CocKLiN. 

Districts : Cleveland, John Stoll, presiding elder ; Fremont, 
S. Hoy ; Columbus, J. W. Walkey. 

1876. Michigan Conference, lona, Mich., April 6. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; S. Heime, secretary. F. Klump, F. 
Walter and F. S. Root were received on probation. Ordained 
elders — D. P. Rumberger, W. Berge, J. G. Haller and F. 
Miller. Deacons — P. Bittner, P. Berg, J. Timm and G. A. 
Hettler. 



402 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

Districts : Detroit, E. Weiss, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
S. Coply; Saginaw, J. M. Haug. 

1876, Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 13. 
Bishop J. J. EsHBR, president; A. Knoble, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. Fink, W. H. Fouke, W. Gross, J. J. Lintner, S. 
A. Miller, M. Obergfeld, P. Reinders, W. Schweiker, C. F. 
Stuewig and Prof. H. H. Rassweiler. Ordained elders — 
J. F. Grob and W. Schmus. Deacons — H. Eller, C. Danner, 
G. Martin and A. Riemschneider, J. Kuechel located. 
J. Schneider, D. B. Byers and J. Himmel were elected presid- 
ing elders. 

Districts: Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder; Naper- 
ville, W. Goessele; Freeport, D. B. Byers; Mendota, J. Him- 
mel; Peoria, H. Hintze. 

1876, Wisconsin Conference, Monroe, Wis., April 27. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; A. Tarnutzer, secretary. Li- 
censed — C. WiEGAND, J. E. Staufacher, G. Friedrich, J. Dick- 
fuss, C. Reichert, F. Haberman and H. Best. Ordained 
elders — C. Schneider and T. F. Eilert. G. Von Eschen took 
credentials. 

Districts: Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder ; Madison, 
H. H. Huelster; Fond du Lac, H. Schelp; Mississippi, M. 
Wittenweiler. 

1876, Minnesota Conference, near Blue Earth City, Minn., 
May 5. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; E. J. Hielscher, secre- 
tary. Ordained elders — M. Knopf, W. Oehler and F. Sahr. 
Deacons — C. R. Koch, J. Gongell, B. Simon, C. Sydow. 
Licensed — H. Ohs, H. Klatt, C, Priebe, W. C. Stegner, F. 
Wotter, G. Syboldt, F. Schmidt and E. Movins. W. Stegner 
resigned the office of presiding elder, and H. E. Linse was 
elected to the same. 

Districts : Winona, A. Strohmeier, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
H. E. Linse; Mankato, C. Brill. 

1876. Iowa Conference, Merrill, la., April 20. Bishop R. 
Dubs, president ; J. Berner, secretary. Licensed — V. Griese, 
C. A. Mueller, J. M. Zellhoefer, W. Schoerin, M. In- 
halter, N. Nagle, a. Fisher, H. Hiebenthal and C. Schmidt. 
Ordained elders — M. Gruener, W. Warfield, H. Stellrecht 
and J. P. Pflaum. Deacons — Emil Mueller, W. Jonas, O. 
Gerhart, G. Heinmiller, F. W. Fisher, F. A. Erase, E. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 403 

NoLTE and H. S. Butz. L. Reep and J. Abrams were received 
into the conference. 

Districts : Dubuque. E. J. Shultz, presiding elder : Ackley, 
J. Henn ; Nebraska, H. Brauer. 

1876. Kansas Conference, near Leavenworth, Kan., 
March 23. Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. Berner, secretary. 
Licensed — D. Honstadt and R. Stahle. Ordained elders — 
J. KiPLiNGER and L. Wenger. Deacon — J. G. Merkt. J. C. 
Emmel located. J. Dengel, S. Swartz, F. Stecher, G. F. 
Yeager, S. Werner, H. A. Hummelbach and W. Wonder 
from other conferences were admitted. E. E. Condo was dis- 
missed. F. W. Voegelein went to the Pacific Conference 
under appointment of the Board of Missions. 

Districts : Holton, J. G. Pfeif er, presiding elder ; Missouri, 
J. Wuerth ; South West, H. Mattill. 

1876, Des Moines Conference held its first annual session 
in Blairstown, Iowa, beginning April 13. Bishop R. Dubs, 
president ; William Klinefelter, secretary. Ordained elders — 
A. C. Heckathorn, L. Reep and E. E. Bonta. Deacons — 
J. H. Yaggy, J. A. Rank, A. T. Wilkins, I. Baker, J. Houtz 
and J. A. Carpenter. E. E. Condo, of the Kansas, J. D. 
Campbell, of the Central Pa., and J. F. Strayer, of the Pittsburg 
Conference, were admitted; also G. W. Lutz, of the M. E. 
Church. Licensed — L. Piper. C. W. Anthony was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, C. W. Anthony, presiding elder; 
Des Moines, D. H. Kooker. 

1876. Erie Conference held its first session in the Heights 
Church, Cleveland, O., March 3. Bishop R. Dubs, president; 
R. MoTT, secretary. Conference organized with nineteen mem- 
bers. W. W. Orwig and G. F. Spreng were elected presiding 
elders. Ordained elder — L. Seither. Deacon — V. Braim. 
J. A. Yingst was received on probation. J. Honecker located. 

Districts : Cleveland, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, G. F. Spreng. 

1876. Atlantic Conference was organized at the session of 
the East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., February 24, 
with twelve members. Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; J. Koehl, 
secretary. Licensed — J. K. Shultz. Jesse Yeakel was elected 
presiding elder for the conference district. 



404 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1876. Indiana Conference, Bremen md., September 14. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; C. C. Byrer, secretary. Died — 
C. Glaus. Granted credentials — E. Evans and J. Schmidli 
Licensed — T. L. Coverdale, W. Ackerman, A. Evans and J. H. 
Stedke. Ordained elders — E- D. Einsel. G. W. Freehafer, 
A. R. Shafer, a. Geist, C. C. Byrer and A. J. Troyer. Dea- 
cons — N. J. Platz, J. Mode, B. F. Dill and C. C. Baum- 
gardner. Located — B. Uphaus and A. J. Troyer. 

Districts : Elkhart, M. W. Steffy, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, E. L. Kipplinger ; Indianapolis, M. Krueger. 

1876, South Indiana Conferenpe held its first session in 
Bremen, Ind., September 14. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; 
W. G. Braeckly, secretary. Auxiliary missionary and Sunday- 
school and tract societies were organized. The conference re- 
mained in union with Northwestern College. 

Districts: Olney, John Fuchs, presiding elder; Evansville, 
H. L. Fisher. 

1876. Pacific Conference was organized at Salem, Ore., 
September 28. Bishop R. Dubs, president; ]. Bowersox, 
secretary. Deacon — W. C. Kantner. This was the first ordi- 
nation preformed by a bishop of the Evangelical Association on 
the Pacific Coast. One hundred and two conversions and 142 
accessions were reported for the past year. J. Bowersox was 
elected presiding elder of the conference district. 

Appointments : J. Bowersox, presiding elder, and also mis- 
sionary at Albany; Salem, Miss., S. Heininger; Yamhill, Miss., 
W. C. Kantner; Corvallis, Miss., J. Croasman ; San Francisco, 
Cal., F. W. Vogelein. 

Note. — The first Evangelical camp-meeting on the Pacific 
Coast was held in June, 1876, three miles southwest of Wheat- 
land, attended by all the missionaries in Oregon. 

This year was one of unusual activity within the church. 
The last General Conference having taken cognizance of the 
coming centennial year, and having advised the annual confer- 
ences to take suitable action, nearly all the conferences passed 
appropriate resolutions, and most of them recommended that 
jubilee services be held on July 2. The funds collected by the 
conferences connected with Northwestern College, were con- 
tributed to that institution, while in the East they were applied 
forj conference purposes. 



CONFERENCE BEC 0BD8. 405 

In the East and Central Pennsylvania Conferences measures 
were taken for the establishment of a higher institution of learn- 
ing. Strong committees were appointed, the purpose being to 
raise un endowment of ^100,000, and work was to begin in the 
selection of a site and erection of buildings as soon as three- 
fourths of the above amount was pledged. Rev. H. A. Neitz 
was the collector for the East Pa. and Rev. S. T. Buck, for the 
Central Pa. Conference. The Pittsburg Conference, while en- 
dorsing the movement, did not deem it advisable to put a col- 
lector in the field. The canvass of the agents showed conclu- 
sively that the movement was premature, and at the close of the 
year the project was abandoned. In other ventures the work 
of the Church was more successful. Especially was this true of 
the heathen mission. In October Dr. F. Krecker, with his 
family, and A. Halmhuber, started on their journey for Japan. 
God*s favor rested on the undertaking. 

Biographical Notes. — Among the ministrers who closed 
their work on earth during this year was Father Jeremiah M. 
Young, of the Central Pa. Conference, who died near Hazelton, 
Pa., January 20. He was born in York, Pa., in 1806, entered 
the West Pa. Conference in 1846, and was elected presiding elder 
in 1864, serving one term. February 21, Isaac Hoffert died 
in Chicago, 111. He was born near Reading, Pa., in 181 1, 
entered the active ranks of the Western Conferences in 1837, 
and traveled in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. 

1877, East Pa. Conference, Shamokin, Pa., February 28. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; S. B. Brown, secretary. Li- 
censed — H. WiNGERT, A. M. Sampsel, a. V. Hirst, F. Smith, 
D. W. BixLER, I. S. DissiNGER, G. W. Wagoner, C. Y. 
Weidenhammer, J. B. Cole, A. E. Fordman and G. W. Moore. 
Ordained elders — A. W. Warfel, L. E. Leslie, W. L. Black, 
T. A. Hess, C. S. Brown, J. M. Rinker and C. S. Breyfogel. 
Deacons— G. W. Gross, H. J. Click, M. L. Custer, N. B. 
Shirk and Dr. F. Krecker, missionary in Japan. G. B. Fisher 
and J. K. Workman located. H. A. Neitz to rest a year on 
account of ill health. Granted credentials — M. L. Custer 
and N. B. Shirk. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. M. Saylor, presiding elder ; Read- 
ing, C. S. Haman; Harrisburg, C. K. Fehr; Pottsville, I. E, 
Knerr ; AUentown, S. Neitz ; Bethlehem, J. O. Lehr. 



406 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1877. Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 8. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; U. F. Swengel, secretary. Died — 
A. LoNGSDORF. Licensed — D. M. Strine, C. S. Stroup, J. C. 
Reeser, J. McCamey, W. H. Hartman, H. Vanson, J. A. 
HoLLENBACH, T. A. Shortiss, H. W. Gross, F. S. Vought, S. 
F. Sheary, C. F. Gephart, S. Wright and A. W. Berry. 
Ordained elders — A. Stapleton, H. S. Bower and W. N. 
Wallace. Deacons — P. W. Group, B. F. Keller,, B. F. An- 
thony, H. C. Berger and J. F. Shultz. J. Bowersox and A. 
W. Bower joined the Pacific Conference. H. S. Bower also 
took credentials. P. M. Coup withdrew. M. Graham, I. 
Leas and C. Knoll, members of other churches, were admitted. 

Districts : York, S. W. Seibert, presiding elder ; Carlisle, E. 
Kohr ; Lewisburg, A. L. Reeser ; Williamsport, M. J. Ca- 
rothers. 

1877. Pittsburg Conference, Millville, Pa., May 15. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president; W. M. Stanford, secretary. 
Licensed — J. W. Domer, N. S. George, A. J. Greenawalt, 
P. S. File, T. Green, J. Lowman, J. D. Miller, S. Coy and 
M. J. Balentine. Ordained elders — L. I. Baumgardner, S. 
Milliron, D. K. Lavan, F. P. Saylor, G. W. Dunlap and J. J. 
Carmany. Deacons — Jacob Smith, R. P. Van Meter and J. 
Trezise, of another church, were admitted. J. L. W. Seibert 
and J. King took a supernumerary relation. J. J. Bernhart 
was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder ; Frank- 
lin, S. B. Kring ; Allegheny, J. A. Grimm ; Somerset, J. J. 
Bernhart. 

1877. New York Conference, Utica, N. Y., March 8. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; J. Siegrist, secretary. Or- 
dained elders — H. Horn and G. H. Geiser. Deacons — J. 
Eberling and J. Luttberger. F. Nussbukel was received on 
probation. A. Holzwarth was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Albany, A. Holzwarth, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
T. Schneider ; Buffalo, M. Lehn. 

1877. Canada Conference, Sebringville, Ont., April 19. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Li- 
censed — D. Kreh, I. MoYER, F. Meier and D. D. Rife. Or- 
dained elders — H. G. Schmidt and G. Finkbiner. Deacons — ; 
J. J. Klipphart, W. Simmons, J. A. Schmidt and F. Haist. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 407 

S. MoRLEY, F. ScHARFFE and C. Pfeuffer located. P. Alles 
was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Waterloo, P. Alles, presiding elder ; Sebringville, 
W. Schmidt ; Carrick, Joseph Umbach. 

t877. Ohio Conference, Mt. Cor), Ohio, April 12. Bishop 
R. Yeakel, resident; J. Lerch, secretary. Died — A. E. 
Dreisbach. Licensed — W. A. Sechrist, W. F. McMillan, 
C. L. Crowther and J. Nonnamaker. H. B. Davis and J. D. 
Downy, of the Methodist Episcopal, and J. Hall, of the Lu- 
theran Church, were admitted. Ordained elder — E.Wengerd. 
Deacons — J. Burkett and D. Curlis. J. N. Richards and 
O. P. Fahs withdrew. S. Hippert took credentials. W. Wit- 
TiNGTON was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. W. Walkey, presiding elder; Fre- 
mont, S. Hoy; Columbus, W. Wittington. 

1877. Illinois Conference, Washington, 111., April 12. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; M. Stamm, secretary. Licensed — 
C. Stoebler, p. Spath, H. F. Kletzing, W. Coon, J. W. 
Buck, C. F. Fehr and A. Egli. Ordained elders — P. Zahn, 
G. FucHS and C. Shuster. Deacons — W. C. Frey and W. 
Shuster. H. H. Duth, J. SwiTZER and G. M. Young located. 
J. F. Grob joined the Atlantic Conference. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, W. Goessele; Freeport, D. B. Byers; Mendota, J. Him- 
mel; Peoria, H. Hintze. 

1877. Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee, Wis., April 26. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; A. Tarnutzer, secretary. 
Died — C. A. Schnake and D. Herb. C. Koch withdrew. 
W. Karm and J. G. Kern located. Licensed — J. Elfman and 
W. Detert. Ordained elders — H. Clement, J. G. Kern, 
C. Green, E. Rhode and C. Oertli. Deacons — F. Hohn- 
MUTH, J. W. Henneman, A. Haas, C. Kunst, F. Illian and 
M. Nuss. 

Districts; Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder; Madi- 
son, H. Huelster ; Fond du Lac, H. Schelp ; Mississippi, W. 
Wittenwyler. 

1877. Michigan Conference, Riga, Mich., Aprils. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; F. F. Meyer, secretary. Licensed — H. 
Schneider, H. Schuhknecht, G. Wilson, C. Z. Stewart and 
F. A. Hamp. Ordained elders — J. Miller, D. W. Schafer 



408 E VANGELICAL A8S0C1A TION ANNALS. 

and J. ScHMus. Deacons — C. C. Staffeld and J. A. Fry. 
Located — C. Rohn, J. Borough and J. Frankhauser. 

Districts : Detroit, E. Weiss, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, S. 
Coply ] Saginaw, J. M. Haug. 

1877. Iowa Conference met April 5, at La Porte, la. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; T. F. Berner, secretary. Li- 
censed — D. RiEDER, H. Illian and J. Ashenbrenner. Or- 
dained elders — F. Lohle, S. H. White, G. Kohn, A. Houser 
and F. Schulsky. Deacons — F. Backemeier, O. Beck and J. 
Abrams. Located — W. Warfield. C. Sanders withdrew. 
C. A. Mueller took credentials. J. Henn was re-elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts: Dubuque, E. J. Shultz; Ackley, J. Henn; Ne- 
braska, H. Brauer. 

1877. Des Moines Conference, Lisbon, Iowa, April 12. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; E. B. Utt, secretary. Located — 
E. E. BoNTA and J. A. Rank. A. J. Meyers withdrew. E. E. 
CoNDO, F. J. Strayer and W. Kolb received credentials. Li- 
censed — J. H. Kolb, J. M. Johnston, F. Drake, J. Brickley, 
G. Springer and A. F. Hahn. N. B. Sherk and M. L. Cus- 
ter, of the East Pa. Conference, were received, as also S. 
Hoover, of another church. Ordained elders — E. B. Utt and 
S. A. Pettit. Deacons — D. W. Fink and C. Manwell. D. 
H. KooKER, presiding elder, resigned, and E. F. Mell was 
elected in his place. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, C. W. Anthony, presiding elder; 
Des Moines, E. F. Mell. 

1877. Minnesota Conference, near New Trier, Minn., 
May 4. Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; E. H. Bowman, secre- 
tary. Located — J. Van Eschen. Licensed — G. W. Hielscher, 
W. Passer and W. Fritz. Ordained elder — L. Passer, J. Zim- 
merman and F. Moede. 

Districts : Winona, A. Strohmeier, presiding elder ; St. Paul, 
H. E. Linse; Mankato, C. Brill. 

1877. Erie Conference, Allegheny City, Pa., March i. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; R. Mott, secretary. Ordained 
elders — Theo. Suhr and A. Bornheimer. The following was 
adopted: **As the East Pa. Conference is now in session 
at Shamokin, Pa., therefore. Resolved, That we send the follow- 
ing salutation to that body by telegraph. Erie Conference, the 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 40» 

youngest now in session, sends greetings to the East. Pa. Con- 
ference, the oldest sister, II. Thes. iii. i6.'' The following 
response was received: "The oldest conference has received 
the greetings of the youngest with pleasure, and returns them 
in Scriptural measure, II. Peter i. 2." 

1877. Atlantic Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., April 5. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. Koehl, secretary. J. F. 
Grobe, of the Illinois, and C. A. Miller, of the Iowa Confer- 
ence, were admitted. Deacons — M. Stockley, D. Schnebel, 
and L. Kolb. Ordained elder — M. Straub. Jesse Yeakel, pre- 
siding elder of the conference district. 

1877, Kansas Conference, NickeFs Grove Circuit, Kan- 
sas, March 22. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. Berner, 
secretary. Located — ^J. G. Merk. Ordained elders — W. 
Heiser and R. Zeller. Deacons — J. Bower, C. Buchel and 
C. F. Stecher. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Missouri, J. 
G. Pfeiffer; Southwest, H. Mattill. 

1877. Indiana Conference, Buena Vista, Ind., September 
20. Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; C. C. Baumgardner, secre- 
tary. Licensed — I. B. Fisher. Ordained elders — J. F. Bork- 
MAN. Deacons — J. Brockert and G. Roeder. Located — L. 
W. Dustman- 

Districts : Elkhart, M. W. Steffy, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, E. L. Kiplinger ; Indianapolis, M. Krueger. 

1877. South Indiana Conference, Huntingburg, Ind., 
September 6. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; W. G. Braeckly, 
secretary. Deacon — C. Stier. Ordained elder — G. Ber- 
stecher. Licensed — F. Danner and W. L. Luehring. The 
time of holding the conference was changed from September to- 
March. 

Districts : Oiney, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Evansville, H. 
L. Fisher. 

1877. Pacific Conference, Albany, Ore., September 6. 
Bishop J. BowERSOX, president ; S. Heininger, secretary. A. 
W. Bower, of the Central Pa. Conference, was received. 

Appointments : J. Bowersox, presiding elder and mission- 
ary at Albany ; Corvallis, W. C. Kantner ; Buena Vista, J. 
Croasman ; Salem, A. W. Bower ; Yamhill, S. Heininger ; Port- 
land, to be supplied ; San Francisco, F. W. Voegelin. 



410 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNAL8. 

Note. — The interests of the church were well maintained 
during this year. The Board of Missions in Racine, Wis., 
October 12, passed the following resolution: ^^Resolved^ That 
we greatly rejoice that our missionaries in Japan were able to 
report in their first annual statement to this board, the glad 
news that one Japanese, who bids fair to be of great use to the 
Church, has, through their efforts, been converted, and that in 
this we see, with thankfulness to God, a new token of the ap- 
probation of the Lord with regard to our heathen mission." 

Biographical. — In October, 1877, Father Adam Ettinger, 
the oldest surviving minister of the church, passed to his re- 
ward, at the age of almost ninety-one years. J. Conrad Reis- 
NER died in October at Lebanon, in the eighty-second year of 
his age. He entered the ministry in 1822 and had the distinc- 
tion of being the first European German minister of the Evan- 
gelical Association. A fuller reference to these brethren will be 
found elsewhere in this work. 

1878, East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa., Feb. 27. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; J. C. Hornberger, secretary. Licensed 
— J. Keller, N. A. Barr, J. M. Shopp, D. A. Light, J. D. 
WooDRiNG, A. S. Steltz, A. L. Yeakel, C. N. Snyder and E. 
A. Hummel. Deacons — J. H. Shirey, J. W. Woehrley, F. E. 
Erdman, W. Wagoner and W. Minsker. Ordained elders — S. 
T. Leopold, A. Krecker, H. D. Shultz, I. J. Reitz, G. D. 
Swiegert and A. Dilabar. Credentials — J. F. Wohlfarth, F. 
E. Erdman and E. Leslie. S. Neitz resigned the office of pre- 
siding elder and C. S. Haman and C. K. Fehr were re-elected 
to the same. The Board of Publication having loaned the pub- 
lishing house in Germany the sum of $10, ©00, the East Pa. Con- 
ference, by resolution, declared this loan as illegal. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. O. Lehr, presiding elder ; Allen- 
town, C. K. F^hr ; Reading, J. M. Saylor ; Harrisburg, C. S 
Haman ; Pottsville, I. E. Knerr. 

1878, Central Pa. Conference, Glen Rock, Pa., March 7. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; U. F. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — E. Crumbling, E. James, J. S. Lowe, E. P. Leonard, 
J. Lawver, J. N. Ross and W. F. Gladfelter. Ordained 
elders — D. P. Kline, P. F. Jarrett, L. Dice. Deacons — G. 
Joseph, J. Shambach, J. J. Lohr, P. C. Weidemeyer, J. H. 
Peters, W. H. Lilly and A. J. Gramly. F. C. Pandel was 
restored to his former relation of deacon. Granted credentials 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 411 

— H. C. Berger and R. J. Derrick. J. Archer and H. H. 
Ream withdrew. 

Districts : York, S. W. Seibert, presiding elder ; Carlisle, 
E. Kohr ; Lewisburg, A. C. Reeser ; Williamsport, M. J. Ca- 
rothers. 

1878. Pittsburg Conference, Canton, Ohio, March 14. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; W. M. Stanford, secretary. Lo- 
cated — J. PoRTCH and A. Rearick. Credentials — ^J. A. Dun- 
lap and P. W. Hahn. Licensed — D. R. Dalzell, T. B. Zel- 
LERs, J. Myers, C. M. Killhefer, E. F. Dicky, C. Manka- 
MiER, M. Tichnell, G. W. Finney, W. Evans, W. M. Covert, 
and T. B. Coburn. Ordained elders — G. W. White, I. A. 
Smith, A. S. Baumgardner, W. A. Reininger and J. Trezise. 
Deacons — H. Hurd. J. Q. A. Weller was newly and J. A. 
Grimm was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder ; Franklin, 
J. J. Barnhart ; Allegheny, J. A. Grimm ; Somerset, J. Q. A. Weller. 

1878. New York Conference, Lyons, N. Y., March 14. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. 
Died — J. Siegrist and J. Luttenberger. Licensed — H. Kock. 
Ordained elders — J. Burkhart, J. Vossler, H. Newinger and 

C. MOWITZ. 

Districts : Albany, A. Holzwarth, presiding elder ; Roches- 
ter, T. Schneider ; Buffalo, M. Lehn. 

1878. Canada Conference, Lingelbach's, Ont., April 19. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Li- 
censed — D. Brant, W. Birk, M. Wiegand and J. C. Mor- 
lock. Deacon — F. Schwartz. 

Districts : Waterloo, P. Alles, presiding elder ; Sebringville, 
W. Schmidt ; Carrick, Joseph Umbach. 

1878. Erie Conference, Huron, Ohio, March 7. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — G. 
GoETZ, P. J. Faul and J. Cordes. Ordained elder — V. Brown. 
Deacons — G. Ott and J. A. Junt. Credentials — J. S. Seip 
and J. G. Martin. H. C. Berger, of the Central Pa. Confer- 
ence, was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder; Pitts- 
burg, G. F. Spreng. 

1878. Atlantic Conference, Easton, Pa., April 4. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; J. P. Schwatz, secretary. Credentials — 
C. A. Miller and J. P. Schultz. Licensed — J. B. Deroni. 



412 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

C. B. Fliehr was elected presiding elder. Died — Adam Et- 
TiNGER, York, Pa. 

Districts: Philadelphia, J. Yeakel, presiding elder; New 
York, C. B. Fliehr. 

1878, Kansas Conference, Zion church, Douglass county, 
Kansas, March 21. Bishop T. Bowman, president ; C. Ber- 
NER, secretary. F. Schaefer, C. F. Erfmeier, P. Shuman, A, 
J. Voegelein and A. M. Dreisbach were received on proba- 
tion. Ordained elders — J. Emmel. Deacons — C. Waehtr 
and R. Stahle. H. S. Bower, of the Central Pa. Conference, 
was received. Located — M. Alsbach, J. Bower, C. Buechei. 
andW. FoLGATE. Credentials — G. F. Yeager. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Missouri, J. 
G. Pfeuffer; South West, H. Mattill. 

1878. Iowa Conference, Waterloo, Iowa, April 4. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; C. Pfund, secretary. Ordained elders — 
O. Gerhart, E. Mueller, E. Nolte, W. Jonas, H. Butz, F. 
A. Erase, F. W. Fisher and G. Heinmiller. Deacons — G. G. 
Zellhoefer, V. Griese A. Fisher, C. Schmidt, M. Einhelder, 
W. Schwerine, J. Ashenbrenner. Licensed — Peter Belzer, 
A. Braenchle, C. Bockenhauer, H. Braun and R. Schmitz. 
W. Kolb and Joseph Bussard, of the Des Moines and C. A. 
Mueller, of the Atlantic Conference, received ; the latter was 
granted deacon's orders. J. P. Just was newly and H. Brauer 
and E. J. Shultz were re-elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Dubuque, J. Henn, presiding elder ; Ackley, H. 
Brauer ; Council Bluifs ; E. J. Schultz ; Nebraska, J. P. Just. 

1878. Des Moines Conference, Colo, Iowa, April 11. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; E. B. Utt, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. AuRACHER, H. Leiphart and H. H. Long. Or- 
dained elders — J. H. Yaggy and A. T. Wilkins. Deacons — 
H. A. Hummelbach and J. C. Burton. Died — G. Herring. 
Credentials — J. Bussard, J. McCauley and H. Holdridge. 
J. A. DuNLAP, of the Pittsburg, J. A. Hetner and A. J. 
Gramly, of the Central Pa., and C. H. Gramly, of the Illinois 
Conference, and H. M. Sexton and L. Parks, of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, were admitted. E. B. Utt was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, C. W. Anthony, presiding elder ; 
Des Moines, E. B. Utt ; Afton, E. F. Mell. 

1878. Illinois Conference, Freeport, 111., April 11. 



CONFEBBNGE RECORDS, 413 

Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; A. Knoble, German, W. H. 
Bucks, English, secretary. Credentials — C. H. Gramly and 
J. Kurtz. Located — A. Rohrbach, B. Ruh and H. Eller. 
Licensed — A. Buende, George Spaeth, C. Frey, George 
Franks, J. Wuerth, O. Radensky, C. Roloff, C. Shultz, W. 
A. Unangst, C. Diesmeier and J. W. Shaefele. Ordained 
elders — W. Caton, C. Danner, H. Eller, A. Strickfaden, 
A. Riemenschneider, A. J. Culver and G. C. Knobel. Dea- 
cons — W. Schweiker, AV. H. Fouke, J. W. Tobias and H. 
Scheffner. S. Torry, of the Baptist Church, was received. 
M. Stamm was newly and W. Goessele was re-elected presid- 
ing elder. V. Forkel was elected collector for church debts. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, M. Stamm ; Freeport, D. B. Byers ; Mendota, J. Himmel ; 
Peoria, W. Goessele. 

1878. Michigan Conference, Litchfield, Mich., April 4. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; F. F. Meyer, secretary. Lo- 
cated — J. Young, D. C. Fry, P. Berg and R. Riegel. Cre- 
dentials — J. M. Reimke. Licensed — W. Binder, A. Kuehn, 
M. E. Blizzard, H. Voelker, J. Schneider and J. Suther- 
land ; also F. Knopf, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
W. White, of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; also S. Hip- 
PARD of the Ohio and J. Nicolai, of the Illinois Conference, 
were admitted. Ordained elder — G. A. Hetler and P. Bittner. 
Deacons — F. Klump, A. Frey, G. Provost, D. C. Fry and D. 
RussEL. J. M. FucHS and J. M. Haug were elected presiding 
elders. Conference organized itself into a church building so- 
ciety. 

Districts : Monroe, F. Weiss, presiding elder ; Three Rivers, 
S. Coply ; Flint, J. M. Haug ; lona, J. M. Fuchs. 

1878. Ohio Conference, Marshallville, April 11. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; J. Lerch, secretary. Licensed — W. W. 
Sherrick, C. Waltz, Otto Spreng, M. A. Butts, Martin A. 
Hildebrand and P. Powell. Ordained elders — S. Cocklin. 
Deacons — S. P. Spreng, J. A. Hensel, W. Bates, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and P. W. Hahn, of the Pitts- 
burg Conference, were admitted. N. Shupp was again elected 
collector for the church debts. Located — A. W. Orwig and 
G. Balser. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. W. Walkey, presiding elder ; Fre- 
mont, S. Hoy; Columbus, S. Wittington. 



414 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Father H. Niebel, the oldest preacher of the Church, died. 
(See biography). 

1878. Indiana Conference, Urbana, Ind., April i8. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. C. Baumgardner, secretary. 
Located — P. Roth. Licensed — A. O. Raber and W. Pinker- 
ton. Ordained elders — C. C. Baumgardner and B. F. Dill. 
Deacon — J. M. Dustman. 

Districts : Elkhart, M. W. Steffey, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, E. L. Kiplinger ; Indianapolis, M. Krueger. 

1878. South Indiana Conference, Carmi, 111., March 14. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; W. G. Brackley, secretary. 
Deacon — M. F. Finkbeiner. W. L. Luehring was received in 
the traveling connection. 

Districts : Olney, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Evansville, H. 
L. Fisher. 

1878. Pacific Conference, Salem, Ore., September 15. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; S. Heininger, secretary. Li- 
censed — Joseph Taylor and W. Axthelm. Ordained elder — 
W. C. Kantner. Irvine Robinson, a local preacher of Wis- 
consin conference, and G. C. Barger, of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, were received. 

J. Bowersox, presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1878. Wisconsin Conference, Mazomaine, Wis., April 25. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Tarnutzer, secretary. Li- 
censed — L. E. Emmert, W, Elmer, D. Schneider, A. Buch- 
OLTZ. Deacons — F. Nehs, W. Colander, C. Weigand, C. F. 
Reichard, F. Haberman and H. Best. Located — J. Karcher^ 
Died — E. Bockemuehl, itenerant, and J. M. Walter, local. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, H. Huelster ; Fond du Lac, H. Schelp ; Portage, M. Wit^ 
tenweiler. 

1878. Minnesota Conference, near Morristown, Minn., 
May 3, Bishop R. Dubs, president; W. Oehler, secretary. 
Ordained elders — B. Simon, E. R. Koch and J. Gongall. 
Deacons — H. Ohs, G. Britzius, W. C. Stegner, F. C. 
Schmidt, G. W. Heilscher and E. F. Movius. Licensed — 
J. G. Haller, M. Gagstatter and F. R. Plantikow. Cre- 
dentials — C. R. Koch. C. Ortli, of the Wisconsin and G. 
Spath, of the Illinois Conference were admitted. A. Stroh- 
meier was re-elected presiding elder. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 41& 

Districts : Winona, A. Strohmeier, presiding elder; St. Paul, 
H. E. Linse ; Mankato, C. Brill. 

1879. East Pa. Conference, Allentown, Pa., February 26. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; J. C- Hornberger, secretary. 
Licensed — George Schwartz, A. E. Gobble, J. L. Ginther, 
J. W. Hoover, H. H. Romberger and W. H. Reineck. J. S. 
McNuTT, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
was received. Ordained elders — G. W. Gross, H. J. Glick 
and Dr. F. Krecker. Deacons — F. Smith and A. M. Sampsel. 
Credentials — L. Snyder, Moses Dissinger, S. B. Brown, W. 
H. Bachman, G. W. Moore and C. W. Snyder. Died— S. P. 
Reinoehl, H. Kempfer and W. Heim, itinerants, and J. Ber- 
TOLET and I. Dissinger, locals. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. O. Lehr, presiding elder ; Allen- 
town, C. K. Fehr; Reading, J. M. Saylor ; Harrisburg, C. S. 
Haman; Pottsville, I. E. Knerr. 

1879. Central Pa. Conference, Lewisburgh, Pa., March 6. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; U. F. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — John Messinger, J. A. Kepner, H. M. Evans, C. W. 
Finkbinder, D. M. Baumgardner, I. Reynolds and H. H. 
DouTY. Ordained elders — P. W. Group, B. F. Keller, B. F. 
Anthony and J. F. Shultz. Deacons — J. A. Hollenbaugh, J. C. 
Reeser, G. H. Schleh, C. F. Gephart, J. H. Hertz and H. 
W. Gross. Died — George Dellinger. Withdrawn — B. Mat- 
thias, S. D. Bennington, S. Wright, F. Passmore, H. Van- 
SANT and Prof. F. M. Baker. Credentials — A. W. Kramer. 
B. Hengst, of the Atlantic Conference, was received. W. E. 
Detweiler was newly, and E. Kohr was re-elected presiding 
elder. 

Districts : York, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder ; Juniata, 
E. Kohr ; Lewisburg, W. E. Detweiler ; Williamsport, A. L. 
Reeser. 

1879. Pittsburg Conference, Salisbury, Pa., March 13. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; W. M. Stanford, secretary. 
Withdrew — J. H. Bates, I. Moore and J. Myers. Licensed — 
D. J. Hershberger and J. Wagoner. J. A. Yunt, of the Erie 
Conference, was admitted. A. Rearick and J. Q. A. Weller 
were deposed from the ministry. Died — Adam Klinefelter 
and P. S. Feil. Credentials — F. Bone. Ordained elders — 
J. Smith, R. P. Vanmeter. Deacons — J, W. Domer, F. J. 



416 E VANQELIGAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

Strayer, E. C. Martin, J. T. Bowles, A. M. Bowlin and C. 
Dehaven. 

Districts: Pittsburg, G. S. Domer, presiding elder; Frank- 
lin, J. J. Bernhart; Johnstown, J. A. Grimm. 

1879. New York Conference, Liverpool, N. Y., March 13. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. Li- 
censed — H. W.Schneider, P. Bahn, G. Schneider and R. W. 
ZiEHM. Ordained deacon — P. Spath. 

Districts : Albany, A. Holzwarth, presiding elder ; Roches- 
ter, M. Lehn; Buffalo, T. Schneider. 

1879. Canada Conference, Berlin, Ont., April 17. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; C. A. Thomas, secretary. Ordained 
Elders — J. J. Klipphart, J. A. Schmidt, F. Haist. Deacons — 
H. A. Thomas, D. Kreh, D. Reider. Licensed — S. Graep, J. 
Baechtel and G. Braun. 

Districts : Waterloo, P. Alles, presiding elder ; Sebringville, 
Joseph Umbach ; Carrick, C. A. Thomas. 

1879. Ohio Conference, Lindsey, Ohio, April 17, Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; A. Vandersall, secretary. Licensed — 
J. Wengerd, E. Shoemaker and L. Sweetland. J. Lerch, 

D. H. Wonder, G. W. Ellenberger and A. Loehner were 
granted a supernumerary relation. W. Horn and J. E. Stewart 
took letters of dismissal. Ordained elders — W. A. Shisler and 
J. A. Burkett. Deacons — J. O. Stoll, H. B. Davis, M. B. 
MoHN, W. F. McWiLLiAMS and D. C. Eckerman. F. Bone, of 
the Pittsburg, and F. Zeller, of the Michigan Conference, 
were admitted. J. Stull was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. Stull, presiding elder; Fremont, S. 
Hoy ; Columbus, W. Wittington. 

1879. Illinois Conference, Geneseo, April 10. Bishop T. 
Bowman, president ; E. Von Freeden and W. Caton, secretaries. 
Credentials — J. H. Tobias, H. F. Kletzing and G. C. Knobel. 
Licensed — H. B. Grumbine, J. Stone, J. Hamilton, T. Murry, 

E. Held, T. W. Woodside, H. Arlen, C. Nauman, A. Haefele, 
W. Grobe, G. Zoller and C. Paeth, also G. A. Kearney, of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ordained elders — J. B. 
Elfring, W. C. Frye and W. Shuster. Deacons— S. A. 
Miller, J. J. Elftman, A. Egle, W. Gross and J. J. Lintner. 
Died — A. Davis, J. K. Lutz and C. Ebinger. 

Districts: Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder; Naper- 



CONFERENCE REGORDS. 417 

ville, M. Stamm ; Freeport, D. Byers ; Mendota, J. Himmel ; 
Peoria, W. Goessele. 

1879. Erie Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, March 6. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; R. Mott, secretary. Ordained 
elder — H. C. Berger. C. Waltz and H. Cordes were received 
into the itinerancy. Credentials — J. A. Junt and C. Kuenzeli. 

Districts : Cleveland, W. W. Orwig, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, G. F. Spreng. 

1879. Atlantic Conference, York, Pa., April 3. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president. J. P. Schnatz, secretary. Credentials — 

B. Hengst. C. Heinrich and C. Brey were received on pro- 
bation. Ordained elder — D. Schnebel. Deacon — C. Phillip- 
bar. R. Deisher located. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. Yeakel, presiding elder ; New York, 

C. B. Fliehr. 

1879. Wisconsin Conference, Bishop J. J. Esher, presi- 
dent ; A. Tarnuntzer, secretary. Died — F. J. Schirmeier. 
Licensed — J. Schneller, A. Heinhouse and J. A. Stewart. 
Ordained elders — J. W. Henneman, F. Illian, F. Homuth and 
C. KuNST. Deacons — H. Kiekhoefer, M. Muehl, G. Fred- 
erick and W. Detert. J. U. Elmer located. H. Schelp was 
reelected and C. F. Finger, A. Tarnutzer and L. Buehler 
were newly elected presiding elder. 

District : Milwaukee, L. Buehler, presiding elder ; Madison, 
H. Schelp ; Fond du Lac, C. F. Finger ; Portage, A. Tarnutzer. 

1879. South Indiana Conference, Mt. Tabor, Ind., 
March 20. Bishop R. Dubs, president ; G. W. Brackley, 
secretary. Ordained elders — J. Mode and N. J. Platz. H. C. 
Fisher and J. Fuchs were re-elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Olney, H. L. Fisher, presiding elder ; Evansville, 
J. Fuchs. 

1879. Indiana Conference, Bremen, Ind., April 17. 
Bishop R. Yeakel, president ; C. C. Baumgardnrr and D. S. 
Oakes secretaries. Died — A. Hartzler, itinerant, and J. Car- 
stetter and J. Kiplinger, locals. D. J. Pontius, G. W. Free- 
hafer and J. F. Bockman located. H. Funk and J. Loop, 
locals, withdrew. Licensed — J. E. Myers, G. W. Bryson, D. 
Black and L. Stock. Ordained elders — J. Bruckert, and G. 
RoEDER. Deacons^A. Iwan, J. B. Fisher, H. Prechtel and 
J. Huntzinger. M. Krueger was re-elected and C. C. Baum- 



418 EVANOELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

GARDNER was ncwly elected presiding elder. Credentials — D. J. 
Pontius and E. D. Einsel. 

Districts : Elkhart, E. L. Kiplinger ; Ft. Wayne, M. Krue- 
ger ; Indianapolis, C. C. Baumgardner. 

1879. Iowa Conference, Ackley, Iowa, April 3. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president ; C. C. Pfund, secretary, Licensed — 
C. Brenner and J. Herrman. Credentials — W. F. Fisher, F. 
Methfessel and D. Rieder. Ordained elders — J. Abrams, 

F. Backemeyer, E. O. Beck. Deacons — H. Hibenthal and 
H. Illian. 

Districts : Dubuque, J. Henn, presiding elder ; Ackley, H. 
Brauer; Council Bluffs, E. J. Shultz. 

1879. Des Moines, Afton, Iowa, April 10. Bishop R. Dubs, 
president; W. J. Hahn, secretary. Licensed — S. Kern, H. 
Grumbine, p. Gressly, H. Kinly, S. Krell and J. Halder- 
man. Ordained elders — D. W. Fink, S. Hoover, M. L. Custer, 
and C. Manwell. Deacons — J. E. Staufacher, J. Auracher, 
J. M. Johnson and A. Y. Cupp. Credentials — J. H. Kiplinger 
and A. Driesbach, of the Kansas, R. J. Derrick and G. F. 
Yeager, of the Central Pa., W. Coon, D. Ellenberger and 
H. F. Kletzing, of the Illinois, B. C. Oyler and J. Strome, 
of the Ohio, and E. D. Einsel, of the Indiana Conference. 
Died— J. H. Gulp. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, C. W. Anthony, presiding elder ; 
Des Moines, E. B. Utt ; Afton, E. F. Mell. 

1879. Kansas Conference, near Rulo, Neb., March 20. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; C. Berner, secretary. Li- 
censed — A. Yoder, W. Descher, L. C. Schnake, H. Lindner. 
Deacons — J. Dreisbach, C. Geiser, H. Todeman, D. Honsted 
and H. Lindner. D. Woder located. L. Wenger was elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Missonri, J. 

G. Pfeuifer ; South West, L. Wenger. 

1879. Michigan Conference, Park, Mich., April 3. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; F. F. Meyer, secretary. F. S. Root, 
withdrew. F. Zeller and J. T. Gingrich located. Creden- 
tials — P. Bittner. Licensed — A. Scheuer, Q. Walker, W. F. 
Zander and J. A. Lawrence. Ordained elders — J. A. Frye, 
W. Simmons and C. C. Staffeld. Deacons — H. Schneider 
and F. C. Walker, C. G. Koch, of the Ohio and S. Heininger, 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 419 

of the Pacific Conference, were received. S. Copley was re- 
elected and J. Frankhouser newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Monroe, S. Coply, presiding elder ; Three Rivers, 
J. Frankhouser ; Flint, J. M. Haug ; lona, J. Fuchs. 

1879. Minnesota Conference, Quincy, Minn., May 2. 
J. J. EsHER, president, W. Oehler, secretary. Deacons — F. 
R. Plantikow, W. Fritz, W. Passer and M. Redman. The 
Conference was re-districted and the districts St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis, St. Peter's and South. W. Stegner was newly and C. 
Brill was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. E. Linse, presiding elder ; Minne- 
apolis, C. Brill ; St. Peters, A. Strohmeyer; South, W. Stegner. 

1879. Pacific Conference, Corvallis, Ore., June 5. 
Bishop J. BowERSOX, president ; W. C. Kantner, secretary. 
Licensed — J. L. Hershner and G. Ketterman. Credentials — 
S. Heininger. a. W. Bower withdrew. California district 
was formed and F. W. Voegelein was elected presiding elder. 
A. Krecker, of the East Pa., J. C. Emmel, of the Kansas Con- 
ference, and F. W. Fisher were received into the conference. 

Districts : Oregon, J. Bowersox, presiding elder ; California, 
F. W. Voegelein. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Seventeenth General Conference, Held at Noble Street 
Church, Chicago, III., Oct. 2-20. 

1879. General Conference, seventeenth session, Noble 
Street Church, Chicago, 111., Oct. 2-20. Presiding Bishops : 
J. J. EsHER, R. Yeakel, R. Dubs and T. Bowman. Bishop 
Dubs delivered the opening address. C. A. Thomas was ap- 
pointed secretary. His assistants were J. C. Hornberger, M. 
Stamm, M. Pfitzinger, S. Smith and C. W. Anthony. 

Rev. J. W. Freund, the fraternal delegate of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, addressed the conference, as also Bishop 
Merrill, of the same church. 

On the fourteenth day of the sessions memorial services were 
held in respect to W. F. Schneider, Publisher, C. A. Schnake 
and S. G. Rhoads, members of the last General Conference 
who died during the quadrennium. 

The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
having arranged for the holding of a Ecumenical Council of all 
Methodistic bodies, and an invitation having been sent to this 
General Conference to send representatives from the Evangelical 
Association, the matter was referred to a committee, who later 
substituted the following, which was adopted. 

^^ Resolved, That we duly appreciate and most heartily re- 
ciprocate the fraternal spirit which prompted, and which per- 
vades said invitaton to participate in the deliberations of said 
conference. 

2. That, although we are not a Methodist body, but yet are 
closely allied to Methodism, in doctrine and practice, we here- 
with accept the invitation and make arrangements to be properly 
represented at said conference. 



GONFEBENOE RECORDS. 421 

3. That the Committee of Ways and Means make necessary- 
arrangements to have our Church properly represented at the 
Ecumenical Conference." 

Delegates: Bishop R. Dubs and D. B. Byers were ap- 
pointed to represent the church at the Ecumenical Conference 
of Methodism, J. C. Hornbrrger was appointed as fraternal 
delegate to the General Conference of the United Brethren, and 
E. C. KiPLiNGER to that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The following were some of the more important recom- 
mendations of the General Conference to the annual confer- 
ences for adoption, as submitted by committees : 

'*The bishops of our church shall be permitted to take part 
in the deliberations of the General Conference when they do 
not occupy the chair, but shall not have the right to vote. 

'*The senior book-agent, the editors and the corresponding 
secretary of the missionary society, who are at present members 
of the General Conference by virtue of office, shall have the 
privilege of choosing the annual conference of which they desire 
to be members, and such as may be elected, whose conference 
relations have not been changed, shall have the right to retain 
their membership in their respective conferences, and thus the 
ex-offieio membership of this body of all the officers of our church 
shall cease." 

"Whereas, The need of a more appropriate English render- 
ing of our original church name among our English-speaking 
people, has been felt for many years, and is becoming more 
and more urgent, so that there seems to be a very general desire 
apparent in favor of a change, and. 

Whereas, We believe that the time has come when some- 
thing ought to be done iu the matter, inasmuch as we are not 
merely an *^ association," but a church; therefore, 

Resolved, i. That the English rendering or translation of our 
original name ** Evangelische Gemeinschaft," shall in the future 
be "Evangelical Church of North America," instead of Evan- 
gelical Association of North America. 

2. That a committee of four be appointed to consult with a 
competent jurist, and see to it that the necessary measures are 
executed to legalize the change, and that we suggest as such a 
committee, Bishop R. Dubs, W. Yost, H. B. Hartzler and 
M. Lauer. 

The Board of Publication was excused for not publishing 



422 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the Evangelical Hymn Book with notes, as ordered by the last 
General Conference, but ordered that its publicaton shall not be 
longer delayed. The last General Conference having offered a 
premium of ;^i,ooo for a manuscript of systematic theology, and 
no one having availed himself of the inducement, the conference 
continued the offer. 

It was resolved that two instead of one book agent shall be 
elected, to have equal power, rights and perogatives, and be 
equally responsible for the managment of the establishment. 
The agent first elected shall be the senior, and an ex-officio mem- 
ber of the General Conference. 

Permission was given the Minnesota, Kansas and Germany 
Conferences to divide their conferences during the coming 
quadrennium, with the consent of the Board of Bishops. The 
Des Moines Conference was granted the same privilege, on the 
same conditions, for the formation of the Platte River and 
Nebraska Conferences, provided two-thirds of the members of 
conference shall agree to such a division. 

Salaries, house rent included, were fixed as follows : Bishop's, 
^1,500; book agents, $1,400; editor's, $1,400; assistant edi- 
tor's, $1,000. 

The following officials were elected for the quadrennium : 
Bishops, J. J. EsHER, R. Dubs and T. Bowman ; Book Agents, 
M. Lauer and W. Yost ; editor of the Christliche Botschafter^ 
W. Horn ; editor of Evangelical Messenger, H. B. Hartzler ; 
editor of Evangelical Magazine and German Sunday- School 
literature, C. A. Thomas ; editor of the Living Epistle ; S. L. 
WiEST, Superiendent of Orphan Home ; Jacob Dreisbach, Gen- 
eral Book Agent for the Germany Publishing House ; J. Waltz, 
editor of Evangelische Bots chaffer and Sunday-School Literature, 

G. FUESSELE. 

Delegates — East Pa. Conference. — C. S. Haman, J. O. Lehr, 
J. C. Hornberger, I. E. Knerr, C. K. Fehr, B. F. Bohner, S. 
Nietz, J. M. Saylor. 

Central Pa. Conference. — M. J. Carothers, C. F. Deininger, 
W. E. Detweiler, E. Kohr, A. L. Reeser, S. Smith, S. W. Sei- 
bert. 

Pittsburg Conference. — G. S. Domer, J. J. Barnhart, J. D. 
Domer, G. W. Brown,* J. A. Grimm. 

*Alternates. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 423 

New York Conference. — M. Pfitzinger, M. Lehn, T. Schnei- 
der.* 

Kansas Conference. — J. Wuerth, H. Mattill, L. Wenger C. 
Berner.* 

Erie Conference.— V^ . W. Orwig, G. F. Spreng. 

South Indiana Conference. — J. Fuchs, J. Kauffman. * 

Atlantic Conference. — J. Yeakel, F. Kurtz. 

Iowa Conference- — J, Henn, H. Brauer, E. J. Schultz. 

Des Moines Conference. — D. H. Kooker, C. W. Anthony, 
E. B. Utt, E. F. Mali. 

Nebraska Conference. — J. P. Just. 

Ohio Conference. — S. Hoy, J. Lerch, D. Strohman, J. StoU, 
W. Wittington, J. W. Walkey. 

Illinois Conference. — J. Schneider, W. Goessele, H. Rohland, 
D. B. Byers, M. Stamm, C. Lindeman, J. Himmel, S. Dickover. 

Indiana Conference. — E. L. Kiplinger, M. W. Steffy, M. 
Krueger. 

Michigan Conference. — S. Coply, J. M. Fuchs, J. M. Haug, 
C. Ude,* J. Frankhauser. 

Canada Conference. — J. Umbach, C. A. Thomas, S. N. 
Moyer.* 

Wisconsin Conference. — L. Buehler, A. Tarnutzer, H, Schelp, 
P. Speich, C. F. Finger. 

Minnesota Conference. — C. Brill, W. L. Stegner, A. Stroh- 
meyer. 

Pacific Conference. — J. Bowersox. 

German Conference. — J. Kaechle. 

Switzerland Conference. — H. Guelich. 

Ex-officio. — M. Lauer, W. Yost, Jacob Hartzler, W. Horn, 
H. J. Bowman. 

Among the recommendations of General Conference to the 
annual conferences for adoption were two of vital interest, 
namely, the repeal of ex-officio representation in the General 
Conference, and the change of our Church name, and an ex- 
traordinary degree of interest was manifested throughout the 
entire church in the final outcome. In regard to the recom- 
mendation to abolish ex-officio representation (see General Con- 
ference of 1867). The conference very strenuously held that 
the tendency of ex-officio representation was to centralize power 

*Alternates. 



424 EVANGELICAL A880G1A TION ANNALS. 

in the hands of the church officials, and hence a menace to the 
polity of the church. Although the opposition to this measure 
was not very serious when first introduced as a recommendation 
to the annual conferences, when, however, the system was 
finally adopted, and it was soon regarded as a dangerous 
menace, and many of the leading men of the church, especially 
of the East, were anxious for its abolition. S. Neitz, of the 
East Pa conference, who had opposed it from the beginning, 
brought the matter before the General Conference. The vote 
of the annual conferences on its repeal resulted adversely by a 
very narrow margin, the Central Pa. Conference voting unan- 
imously for its repeal and the East Pa. and Pittsburg Confer- 
ences nearly so. The recommendation to alter our Church name 
also failed to receive the sanction of a majority. 

1880, East Pa. Conference, Weissport, Pa., February 26. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. C. Hornberger, secretary. 
Licensed — J. C. Krause, H. M. Capp, A. M. Hartman, W. H. 
Stauffer, F. G. Stauffer, W. F. Heil, and J. Weidel. Or- 
dained elders — J. W. Woehrle, and J. H. Shirey. Deacons — 
N. A. Barr and J. R. Hensyl. Credentials — T. G. Clelwell 
and G. C. Knobel, also H. S. Clemens, of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Died — G. T. Haines and S. Graumer. 

Districts : AUentown, C. K. Fehr; Philadelphia, J. C. Horn- 
berger, ; Reading, I. E. Knerr ; Harrisburg, C. S. Haman ; 
Pottsville, J. O. Lehr. 

1880. Central Pa. Conference, Berwick, Pa., March 4. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president, U. F. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. E. Britcher, C. H. Goodling, J. R. Sechrist, H. 
H. Brenneman, W. J. Davis, I. C. Yeak^el, M. F. Fosselman, 
H. T. Searl, E. Dietrick, H. Price and J. M. Dick. E. W. 
KooNTZ, of the United Brethren, and J. D. Kneisley, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, were received. Ordained elders — 
J. Shambach, J. J. LoHR, W. H. Lilly, G. Joseph, P. C. 
Weidemeyer and J. H. Peters. Deacons — E. P. Leonard, 
H. H. DouTY, E. Crumbling, B. Garrison, and D. Shoe- 
maker. J. G. M. Swengel located. Died — R. C. Bowersox. 
Credentials — John Kreamer and D. S. Lepley. U. F. Swen- 
gel was newly elected and A. L. Reeser re-elected presiding 
elder. Jacob Hartzler, superintendent of Japan mission, was 
enrolled as a member of conference. 

Districts : York, E. Kohr, presiding elder ; Juniata, U. F. 



aONFBBENCE RECORDS. 425 

Swengel ; Lewisburg, W. E. Detweiler ; Williamsport, A. L. 
Reeser. 

1880. Pittsburg Conference, Johnstown, Pa., March i8. 
Bishop J. J. EsHSR, president ; W. M. Stanford, secretary. 
Licensed— F. P. Hummel, C. C. Poling, N. W. Bloom, W. F. 
Shannon, D. F. Platt, G. W. Weaver, F. P. Ellenberger, 

A. J. Bird and J. Fichtner. Ordained elder — H. H. Hurd. 
Deacon — W. M. Covert. D. Saylor was restored to his former 
relation. E.C. Martin located. Credentials — G.W. Brown, E. 

B. Arthur, J. J. Bernhart and J. Trezise. F. W. Barlett, of 
the M. E. Church, was admitted. J. D. Domer, D. S. Poling 
and L. M. Boyer were elected to the office of presiding elder. 

Districts : Pittsburg, J. A. Grimm, presiding elder ; Frank- 
lin, D. S. Poling ; Allegheny, J. D. Domer ; Somerset, L. M. 
Boyer. 

1880. Ohio Conference, Lancaster, Ohio, March ii. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; A. Vandersall, secretary. 
Licensed — C. H. Dreisbach, J. Keiser, J. Kanaga, J. H. 
VouGHT and S. A. McBride. Ordained elder — S. P. Spreng 
and J. A. Hensel. Deacons — S. J. Gamertsfelder, E. Evans, 
W. W. Sherrick, C. L. Crowther, Otto Spreng, J. J. Nona- 
maker and W. Bates. G, H. Schneider, of the New York 
Conference, was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, S. Hoy, presiding elder ; Fremont, 
J. Stoll ; Columbus, W. Whittington. 

1880, Erie Conference, Erie, Pa., March 4. Bishop R, 
Dubs, president ; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — H. Hue- 
bner and Charles Suhr. Ordained elder — G. Ott. Deacons — 
H. CoRDES and G. Waltz. Credentials — H. C. Berger. J. J. 
Bernhart, of the Pittsburg Conference, was received, also L. 
Pfeifer, of the Evangelical Synod of North America. C. F. 
Negle and J. G. Theuer were elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. G. Theuer, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, C. F. Negle. 

1880. Atlantic Conference, Baltimore, Md., April i. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; F. Kurtz, secretary. A. Strauk 
located. Died — A. Hinkle. Deacons — A. Steltz and J. 
Keller. J. Yeakel was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. Yeakel, presiding elder ; West 
Jersey, C. B. Fliehr. 



426 E VANOELWAL A380G1A TION ANNALS. 

1880. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., March 4. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; M. Pfitzinger, secretary. 
Credentials — G. H. Schneider. — Deacons — P. Bohn, H. Koch. 
Ordained elder — J. Eberling. Licensed — D. Miller and C. 
Hardel. D. Fisher located. 

Districts : Albany, A. Holzwarth, presiding elder ; Roches- 
ter, M. Lehn ; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1880. Canada Conference, Mildmay, Ont., April 15. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; C. F. Braun, secretary. Li- 
censed — S. Kraft and L. Wittich. Deacons — C. Staebler, 
M. L. Wing, D. Brand and J. C. Morelock. C. Steuer- 
NAGEL located. C. A. Spies was elected presiding elder. D. 
Kreh went as missionary to Texas. 

Districts : Waterloo, P. Alles, presiding elder ; Sebringville, 
J. Umbach ; Carrick, C. A. Spies. 

1880# Kansas Conference, Platte River Circuit, March 18. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
G. E. DiENST, M. F. Shupe and E. Bruner. C. Emmil and 
J. Bowers located. Ordained elder — C. Waehlte. Deacons — 
C. F. Erffmeyer, a. J. Voegelein, P. Shuman, S. H. Dun- 
kelberger and G. Brant. Moses Dissinger and C. W. Sny- 
der, of the East Pa. Conference, A. W. Kramer, of the Central 
Pa. Conference, and S. H. Dunkelberger and J. H. Tobias 
were received into the itinerancy. Credentials — S. O. Mussel- 
man and J. F. Wohlfarth. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Missouri, J. 
-G. Pfeuffer ; South West, L. Wenger. 

1880. Nebraska Conference, near Louisville, Neb., March 
55. Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Fischer, secretary. Li- 
censed — H. SoHL and G. Altstadt. Ordained elders — A. 
Fisher, M. Einhelder and W. F. Schwerin. Deacon — A. 
Brauchle. Credentials — L. Reep. A. Haas, of the Wisconsin 
Conference, was admitted. 

J. P. Yust presiding elder of conference district. 

1880. Iowa Conference, Cedar Falls, Iowa, April i. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. F. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
J. W. Epley, H. Raecker and F. Tostlebe. Ordained elders — 
C. A. Mueller, V. Griese, J. J. Ashenbrenner and C. 
Schmidt. Deacons — J. M. Zellhoefer, P. Belzer and G. D. 
Flegler. Credentials — G. Heinmiller. 



GONFERENCE BEG0RD8. iril 

Districts : Dubuque, J. Henn, presiding elder ; Ackley, H. 
Brauer ; Des Moines, E. J. Shultz. 

1880. Des Moines Conference, Grandview, Iowa, April 8. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. H. Yaggy, secretary. J. H. 
KiPLiNGER and A. C. Hackathorn located. Ordained elders — 
A. J. Gramley. Deacons — H. H. Long and T. J. Fink. E. B. 
Utt resigned the office of presiding elder and J. H. Kooker 
was newly and C. W. Anthony was re-elected to the same. 

Districts : Afton, E. F, Mell, presiding elder ; Cedar Rapids, 
D. H. Kooker; C. W. Anthony, Nebraska. 

1880. Minnesota Conference, Racine, Minn., May 7. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; H. Bunse, secretary. Li- 
censed — G. Husser, G. Duebendorf and W. Blanchard. Dea- 
cons — J. G. Haller, G. Spaeth and M. Gagstetter. Or- 
dained elders — G. W. Heilscher, H. Ohs, G. Britzius, F. 
Smith and E. Movius. Died — G. Von Eschen. A. Huel- 
STER, of the Wisconsin Conference, was received. H. Bunse 
was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. Bunse, presiding elder ; Minneapolis, 
C. Brill ; St. Peter, A. Strohmeyer ; Mankato, W. Stegner. 

1880. Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 8. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; A. Fuessele, secretary. Li- 
censed — ^J, G. Ziegler, J. S. Reinhart, J. Buck, L. Becher, 
C. Apel, L. Schaefele, T. Shaible and J. C. Sills. Ordained 
elders — W. Schweiker and W. H. Fouke. Deacons — C. 
RoLOFF, J. K. Shultz, J. W. Schaefele, O. Radinsky, C. S. 
Fehr and Prof. H. H. Rassweiler. T. Hamilton of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church was received. Died — S. A. 
Tobias. A. Knobel and I. Kuter located. 

Districts : Chicago, W. Goessele, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, M. Stamm ; Freeport, H. Messner ; Mendota, J. Schnei- 
der ; Peoria, G. Vetter. 

1880. Wisconsin Conference, Fon du Lac, Wis., April 22. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; F. Huelster, secretary. Li- 
censed — W. Messersmith, G. Keller and G. Reicherd. 
Deacon — L. F. Emmert. Ordained elders — W. Kolander, F. 
A. Haberman, H. Best, C. F. Reicherd, C. Weigand and F. 
L. Nehs. Credentials — A. Huelster and A. Haas. 

Districts : Milwaukee, L. Buehler, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, H. Schelp ; Fond du Lac, C. F. Finger ; Portage, A. Tar- 
nutzer. 



428 EVANGELIGAL A8S0CIA TION ANNALS. 

1880. South Indiana Conference, Louisville, Ky., March. 
II. Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; W. J. Braeckly, secre- 
tary. Licensed — F. Theis and G. Halwachs. Ordained 
elder — C. Stier. Deacons — W. L. Luehring and E. Bohlan- 

DER. 

Districts : Evansville, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Olney, H. 
L. Fisher. 

1880. Indiana Conference, April i, Bishop J. J. Esher, 
president ; D. S. Oakes, secretary. Ordained elders — J. M. 
Dustman. Deacons — A. O. Raber, W. Ackerman and J. 
Fritz. Licensed — J. E. Smith. D. Martz, of the Methodist 
Episcopal and I. W. Kemmerling, of the United Brethren 
Church, were admitted. E. T. Hochstedler located. J. M. 
GoMER, missionary to Texas, was retained in the conference. 

F. F. Meyer, of the Michigan Conference, was received. E. L. 
Kipling was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Elkhart, E. L. Kiplinger, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, M. Krueger, Indianapolis, C. C. Baumgardner. 

1880. Michigan Conference, East Rasinville, Mich., 
April g. Bishop T. Bowman, president ; F. F. Meyer, secre- 
tary. J. ScHMAUS, F. Dietrich, F. Walter and O. Ragatz 
located. H. C. Berger, of the Erie, and E. B. Arthur, of 
the Pittsburg Conferences, were admitted. Licensed — W. A. 
Kohler, W. H. Wagoner and N. Wunderlich. Deacons — 
W. F. Binder, W. F. Zander and H. Voelker. Ordained 
elders — F. Klump, A. Fry, F. E. Ereman and G. Provost. 
Credentials — P. Bittner and F. F. Meyer. J. Frankhouser 
resigned the office of presiding elder. 

Districts: Monroe, L. Coply, presiding elder; Flint, J. M. 
Haugh ; lona, J. M. Fuchs. 

1880. Pacific Conference, Wheatland, Ore., June i8. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Krecker, secretary. Died — 

G. Ketterman. Licensed — H. Bittner. Deacon — H. W. 
Axthelm. J. C. Emmel located. C. Waehlte, of the Kansas 
Conference, was admitted. J. Bowersox was re-elected pre- 
siding elder. 

Districts : Oregon, J. Bowersox, presiding elder ; California, 
F. W. Voegelein. 

Notes. — In 1879 Bishop J. J. Esher visited Texas with a view 
to the establishment of our Church in that State. His report of 
the prospects was favorable, and the Board of Missions soon after 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 429 

appointed J. M. Gomer, of the Indiana, and D. Kreh, of the 
Canada Conference, to the work. The missionaries entered 
upon their work in the early part of 1880, Gomer at Galveston 
and Kreh at San Antonio. Very soon after his arrival Gomer 
purchased a church and parsonage of another society. He also 
found entrance in other localities where he met with some de- 
gree of success. In 1883 he organized a society at Temple, 
and May 13 the first church erected by the Evangelical Associa- 
tion in Texas was dedicated there. About this time also a par- 
sonage was built at San Antonio, and a church soon afterwards. 
At the General Conference of 1887 the work in Texas was con- 
stituted an annual conference. The first session was held at 
Temple, November 25, 1887, Bishop Esher, presiding. 

Biographical. — The death roll of prominent ministers of 
the Association is this year unusually large, among whom we 
notice the following : 

Rev. Daniel Berger died at Orwigsburg, Pa., April 12. 
He was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. Entered the Eastern 
Conference in 1834, and served in the itinerancy twenty-six 
years. 

Rev. William L. Reber died at Reading, Pa., May 21. 
He was born in Berks county Pa., in 18 10, entered the active 
ranks of the East Pa. Conference in 1843. In 1861 he was 
elected presiding elder, but resigned after serving the office two 
years because of declining health. 

Rev. Levi S. Jacoby, died at Newark, N. Y., August 30. 
He was born in Berks county. Pa., 1826, and entered the East 
Pa. Conference in 1846, and was an original member of the 
New York Conference. He was elected presiding elder in the 
New York Conference 1860-64-69. 

Rev. Jacob Weikel, died in Mercer county. Pa., May 25. 
He was born in Berks county. Pa., 181 2, entered the ministry 
of the West Pa. Conference 185 1, and remained in the Pitts- 
burg Conference. Presiding elder in 1857-61. 

Rev. H. L. Fisher, died at Olney, Ind., June 22. He was 
born in Lebanon county, Pa., 1828, entered the East Pa. Con- 
ference 1857. Joined the Indiana Conference 1863. Elected 
presiding elder 1870, 1875 and 1879. An earnest, consecrated 
man. 

Rev. Simon A. Tobias, died at Davis, 111., February 11. 
He was born near Reading, Pa., 1822. Entered the Ohio 



430 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Conference 1844, and later became a member of the Illinois 
Conference. Elected presiding elder 1852. Re-elected 1855. 
General agent for Plainfield College 1860-62. 

1881. East Pa. Conference, Millersburg, Pa., February 23. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; B. J. Smoyer, secretary. Or- 
dained elders — A. M. Sampsel and F. Smith. Deacons — D. W, 
BicKSLER, J. W. Hoover, J. D, Woodring and H. S. Clemens. 
Licensed — ^J. B. Fox, I. Heisler W. C. Weiss, R. Teter, 
R. Roessel, G. Reinhold and J. R. Overholser. Creden- 
tials — T. G. Clewell, a. E. Gobble and I. E. Zimmerman. 
Died — Jacob Snyder, D. Berger, W. L. Raber and J. Kurtz. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. C. Hornberger, presiding elder ; 
Allentown, C. K. Fehr ; Reading, I. E. Knerr ; Harrisburg, 
C. S. Haman ; Pottsville, J. O. Lehr. 

1881. Central Pa. Conference, Lock Haven, Pa., March 3. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president j E. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — A. W. Swengel, M. J. Snyder, E. D. Keene, S. O. 
McCuRDYandJ. D. Shortiss. Ordained elders — J. C. Reeser, 
H. W. Gross, J. A. Hollenbach, G. H. Schleh and C. F. 
Gephart. Deacons — J. W. Messenger, C. W. Finkbinder, 
W. H. Hartman, S. F. Vought, J. D. Stover, I. Bower and 
C. C. Reen. J. H. Hollenbach took credentials for the Pa- 
cific Conference. A. E. Gobble, of the East Pa., and S. O. 
Musselman, of the Kansas Conference, were received. M. J. 
Carothers, collector for mission churches. 

Districts : York, E. Kohr, presiding elder ; Juniata, U. F. 
Swengel ; Lewisburg, W. E. Detweiler ; Williamsport, A. L. 
Reeser. 

1881. Pittsburg Conference, Franl^lin Pa. March 10. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; W. M. Stanford, Secretary. Li- 
censed — C. H. Miller, S. J. Caton and J. Q. A. Curry. 

E. C. Martin withdrew. Died — Jacob Burkett and J.Weikel. 
Ordained elders — F. J. Strayer, J. W. Domer and J. A. Yunt. 
Deacons — M. L. Weaver, M. J. Balentine, H. S. Stau;ffer, 

F. W. Barlett, T. B. Zeller, R. D. Dalzell and E. F. 
Dickey. 

Districts : Pittsburg, J. A. Grimm, presiding elder; Somer- 
set, L. M. Boyer; Franklin, D. S. Poling; Allegheny, J. D. 
Domer. 

1881. Ohio Conference, Independence, Ohio March 10. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; A. Vandersall, secretary. G. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 431 

W. Ellenberger located. Died — J. Stultz. Licensed — B. 
NiEBEL and J. D. Lamb. Ordained elders — D. C. Eckerman, 
J. O. Stoll, W. F. McMillen, H. B. Davis and M. B. Mohn. 
Deacons — J. Wengert, D. Ewald, G. H. Snyder and Dr. A. P. 
Dutcher. J. Lerch joined the Illinois Conference. C. L. 
Crowther was expelled. W. Wittington was re-elected pre- 
siding elder. 

Districts : Fremont, J. Stull, presiding elder ; Cleveland^ 
W. Wittington; Columbus, S. Hoy. 

1881. New York Conference, Newark, N. Y., March 3. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; A. Unholtz, secretary. Li-^ 
censed — J. Schenk and L. Heinmiller. Ordained elder — 
Phil Spaeth. Deacons — H. A. Snyder and R. W. Ziehme. 
A. Umholtz was elected presiding elder. L. Jacoby, an itiner- 
ant, died. 

Districts : Albany, A. Umholtz, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
M. Lehn ; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1881* Erie Conference, Pittsburg, Pa., March 3. Bishop- 
R. Dubs, president; R. Mott, secretary. J. Liebendorfer, 
local. Died. Licensed — R. Lehman. Deacons — P. J. Fowl 
and G. Goetz. G. G. Zellhofer, of the Nebraska Confer- 
ence, was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. G. Theuer, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, C. F. Naegle. 

1881. Canada Conference, Crediton, Ont., April 21. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; C. F. Braun, secretary. Li-^ 
censed — I. K. Devitt. Ordained Elders — H. A. Thomas and 

D. Kreh. Deacons — S. Graeb and E. Eby. S. Morely was 
again admitted. S. Weber and p. Winkler were super- 
annuated. S. L. Umbach was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Waterloo, S. L. Umbach, presiding elder ; Seb- 
ringville, Joseph Umbach ; Garrick, C. A. Spies, Ottawa, C. F. 
Braun. 

1881, Atlantic Conference, Philadelphia, May 6. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; F. Kurtz, secretary. F. Letter, local, 
died. Licensed — R. Low and J. Himmel. Ordained elder — 
C. Philipbar. J. Yeakel, elder of the conference district. 
J. G. Marquardt was received into the itinerancy. 

1881. Indiana Conference, Elkhart, Ind., April 7. Bishop- 
T. Bowman, president; D. S. Oakes, secretary. Licensed — 

E. NiTSCHE, C. A. Steffey, J. H. Evans and E. A. Zirkle., 



433 EVANOBLICAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

Ordained elders — A. Iwan, I. B. Fisher, H. Prechtel and W. 
WiLDERMUTH. Dcacon — H. Arlen. 

Districts : Elkhart, E. L. Kiplinger, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, M. Krueger ; Indianapolis, C. C. Baumgardner. 

1881. South Indiana Conference, West Salem, 111., March 
31. Bishop T. Bowman, president; G. W. Braeckly, secre- 
tary. Died — H. L. Fisher. J. Mode located. J. Kaufman 
was elected presiding elder in place of H. L. Fisher, deceased. 
Fred Schweitzer, of the Michigan Conference, was received. 

Districts : Evansville, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Olney, J. 
Kaufman. 

1881. Illinois Conference, Barrington, 111., April 7. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president j A. Fuessele, G. W. Caton, secre- 
taries. Licensed — J. Shultz, E. K. Yeakel, J. H. Johnston, 
S. F. Spiess and H. Lueder. Ordained elders — J. J. Lintner, 
J. J. Elftman, W. Gross, A. Egli and S. A. Miller. Dea- 
cons — C. J. Fry, C. A. Paeth, George Harris, C. Dismeier 
and J. Fry. Died — C. Kopp. Credentials^ — J. Buck and O. 
Radinsky. Three thousand four hundred and thirty-three dol- 
lars was raised at the missionary meeting during the conference. 
C. DisMiER and L. Schaefele were received into the itinerancy. 
A. Haefele, T. W. Woodside, T. Murrry, J. Lerch, of the 
Ohio Conference, also. 

Districts : Chicago, W. Goessele, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, M. Stamm ; Freeport, H. Messner ; Mendota, J. Schnei- 
der; Peoria, G. Vetter. 

1881* Iowa Conference, Fort Dodge, Iowa, April 7. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; J. Berner, secretary. Li- 
censed — P. Ettinger, J. Heinmiller, H. W. Hartman, G. 
Brandstetter, L. H. Smith and H. M. Trumbauer. Or- 
dained elders — H. Hiebenthal. Deacons — A. H. Buente and 
A. Knoche. 

Districts : Dubuque, J. Henn, presiding t Ider ; Ackley, H. 
Brauer ; Des Moines, E. J. Shultz. 

1881, Des Moines Conference, Blairstown, Iowa, April 14. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. H. Yaggy, secretary. Li- 
censed — C. Muller, F. a. Gasman and H. Whistler. Dea- 
con — S. Krell. Ordained elders — J. E. Stauffacher, J. M. 
Johnston and D. P. Ellenberger. J. H. Yaggy and A. Bus- 
sard were elected presiding elders. Credentials — J. H. Kip- 
linger, J. A. DuNLAP and G. W. Killhoefer. W. Bates, F. 



GONFERENGE BEGOBDS. 433 

Methfessel, J. Hamilton and J. Buck were received. 

Districts : Afton, A. Bussard, presiding elder ; Cedar Rapids, 
J. H. Yaggy ; Des Moines, D. H. Kooker. 

1881. Platte River Conference. In accordance with the 
l^rovisions of the General Conference the Platte River Confer- 
ence was formed April i6, during the session of the Des Moines 
Conference at Blairstown, Iowa. C. W. Anthony was elected 
presiding elder of the Conference District. There were four- 
teen fields of labor, some of which were not supplied at con- 
ference. Eleven itinerants appear on the list. The work of 
the conference is located mostly in Nebraska. 

1881. Wisconsin Conference, Menomonee Falls, April 28. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; W. Wittenwyler. Licensed — 
M. Gauerke and J. Nickels. Deacons — J. Schneller and J. 
A. LiEWERT. Ordained elder — H. Kickhoefer. J. Thilke, 
local, died. 

Districts : Milwaukee, L. Buehler, presiding elder ; Madi- 
son, H. Schelp ; Portage, A. Tarnutzer ; Fond du Lac, C. F. 
Finger. 

1881. Michigan Conference, Sharon, Mich., April 14. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; C. G. Koch, secretary. J. 
NicoLAi and L. Kemmerling located. Ordained elder — H. 
Schneider. Deacons — A. A. Schneder and J- Schneider. 
M. J. Miller was dismissed. 

Districts : Monroe, S. Copley, presiding elder ; Flint, J. M. 
Haug ; lona, J. M. Fuchs. 

1881. Minnesota Conference, Castle Rock, Minn., May 6. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. Bunse, presiding elder ; Minne- 
apolis, C. Brill ; St. Peters, A. Strohmeier ; Mankato W. Stegner. 

1881. Nebraska Conference, Washington county, Neb., 
March 25. Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Fisher, secretary. 
Deacon — N. Nagel. Ordained elder — H. Illian. Licensed — 
W. H. Althouse. S. H. Witte withdrew. O. Radinsky, of 
the Illinois Conference, was admitted. 

J. P. Just presiding elder of conference district. 

1881. Kansas Conference, Holton, Kan., March 31. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
T. W. Serf, G. W. Edgar, M. Grabenstein and A. Brunner. 
Ordained elders — J. M. Dreisbach, H. Todeman, D. F. 
Honstedt, C. F. Geiser and R. Stahle. Deacons — L. C. 



434 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALb. 

ScHNACKE, F. J. ScHAFER, C. W, Snyder, W. Dashner and 

E. A. Brunner. S. Werner, of the Pittsburg Conference, 
was received. Credentials — R. Stahle. H. Mattill was 
re-elected and P. Fricker newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Holton, L. Wenger, presiding elder ; Missouri, 
H. Mattill ; South West, P. Fricker. 

1881, Pacific Conference, San Francisco, Cal., June 3. 
J. BowERSox, president ; A. Krecker, secretary. J. A. Holen- 
BACH, of the Central Pa., and R. Stahle, of the Kansas Con- 
ference were admitted. Ordained deacon — ^J. C. Hershner. 
Credentials — W. C. Kantner. I. Robinson (local), died. 

Districts : Oregon, J. Bowersox, presiding elder; California, 

F. W. Voegelein. 

Notes. — The work of the Lord prospered in a general way this 
year. While the statistics of some conferences indicate a de- 
clension, others marked activity and unusual development. 
During the year there were employed in the home and for- 
eign field 391 missionaries, of these, 324 were in America, fifty- 
eight in Europe and seven in Japan, besides seven native 
helpers in Japan. In Japan there were thirty-seven members 
reported, with six Sunday-schools and 122 scholars in con- 
nection with the mission. The missionary contributions of 
this year were the highest in the history of the church, and $20, - 
000 in advance of the previous year. 

Biographical. — Rev. L. Snyder, died at Marion Centre, 
Kansas, July 13. He was born in Montgomery county. Pa., 
18 19. Entered the East Pa. Conference 185 1. Elected pre- 
siding elder in i860, and served two terms. United with the 
Kansas Conference 1878, and died on his charge. 

Rev. Jacob Himmel, died at Mendota, 111., August 21. 
He was born in Germany 1832. Entered the Illinois Confer- 
ence 1854. Elected presiding elder 187 1 and 1876. He was 
appointed to Mendota Mission at the end of his last term, where 
he died. 

1882. East Pa. Conference, Bethlehem, Pa., February 22. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; B. J. Smoyer, secretary. Li- 
censed — M. W. Harris, W. Hashinger, C. D. Dreher, T. L. 
Wentz; also Uyeno Mikuma and Hirakawa Loyotsura, the 
first natives of Japan licensed by the Evangelical Association. 
Ordained elder — J. R. Hensyl and N. A. Barr. Deacons — 
W. F. Heil, J. L. Guenther, J. C. Krause, H. M. Capp and 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 435 

W. H. RiNECK. A. V, Hirst withdrew. W. L. Black located. 
J. K. Knerr was superannuated, also Father J. M. Saylor. 
Died — J. Adams and A. Schultz. C. S. Haman and C. K. 
Fehr were re-elected to the office of presiding elder. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. C. Hornberger, presiding elder ; 
Allentown, C. S. Haman ; Reading, I. E. Knerr ; Harrisburg, 
C. K. Fehr ; Pottsville, J. O. Lehr. 

1882. Central Pa. Conference, Carlisle Pa., March 2. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; P. W. Raidabaugh, secretary. 
Ordained elders — E. Crumbling and H. H. Douty. Dea- 
cons — Prof. A. E. Gobble, J. M. Dick, J. McCamy and E. W. 
KooNTZ. Licensed — J. H. Welch, J. F. Craul, H. A. Ben- 
FER and H. Armstrong. S. E. Davis went to the Pacific and 
E. P. Leonard to the Des Moines Conference. A. Kraus was 
superanuated. M. J. Carothers was re-ekcted collector for 
mission churches. 

Districts : York, E. Kohr, presiding elder ; Juniata, U. F. 
Swengel ; Lewisburg, W. E. Detweiler ; Williamsport, A. L. 
Reeser. 

1882. Pittsburg Conference, Zion Church, Venango 
county. Pa., March 9. Bishop T. Bowman, president; W. M. 
Stanford, secretary. J. Dick was superannuated. W. Evans 
took credentials. T. G. Clewell was received. Licensed — 
A. J. Saylor, C. F. Floto. W. B. Shafeer, A. C. Miller, S. S. 
Shirey, D. Stall and J. C. Liebhart. Ordained elders — W. 
M. Covert. Deacons — D. J. Hershberger, F. P. Hummel, 
A. J. Bird, C. C. Poling and A. J. Greenawalt. D. S. 
Poling resigned the office of presiding elder because of ill 
health, and T. G. Clewell was newly and J. A. Grimm re- 
elected to the same. 

Districts : Pittsburg, J. A. Grimm, presiding elder ; Alle- 
gheny, J. D. Domer ; Franklin, T. G. Clewell ; Somerset, L. M. 
Boyer. 

1882. Ohio Conference, Akron, Ohio, March 9. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; A. Vandersall, secretary. Licensed — 
I. Lively, A. N. McCauley and A. Case. Ordained elders — 
W. W. Sherrick, J. J. Nonamaker, A. Evans, Otto Spreng 
and S. J. Gamertsfelder. Deacons — C. H. Dreisbach, J. S. 
Reinhart, E. B. Shoemaker, J. W. Smith and E. Cover. 
Credentials — J. J. Kanaga, W. F. McMillen and H. Spitler. 
J. J. Bernhart was received. 



436 BVANGELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Districts : Cleveland, W. Whittington, presiding elder ; 
Tiffin, J. Stull ; Fremont, S. Hoy ; Columbus, H. T. Strauch. 

1882. Indiana Conference, Waterloo, Ind., April 6. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; D. S. Oakes, secretary. Lo- 
cated — J. Beck and W. Wildermuth. Licensed — L. Neitzel, 
W. H. Mygrant and R. Rainy. Ordained elders — W. Acker- 
man and A. O. Raber. Deacon — George Frederick. 

Districts : Elkhart, E. L. Kiplinger, presiding elder ; Fort 
Wayne, M. Krueger ; Indianapolis, C. C. Baumgardner. 

1882. South Indiana Conference, Huntingburgh, Ind., 
March 31. Bishop J. J. Esher, president. Died — C. R. 
Koch. Ordained elders — W^. L. Luehring and E. Bohlander. 

-Districts : Evansville, J. Fuchs, presiding elder ; Olney, J. 
Kaufman. 

1882. Michigan Conference, Oregon, Mich., April 6. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; C. G. Koch, secretary. O. 
Ragatz withdrew. Credentials — F. E. Erdman. L. B. Eaton, 
of the M. E. Church, was received. Licensed — I. Wheeler. 
A. J. Gramly, of the Des Moines, J. G. Haller, of the Minne- 
sota, and J. Drinkwater and H. Spitler of the Ohio Confer- 
ence, were admitted. Ordained elders— -H. Volker, W. F. 
Binder and W. F. Zander. Deacons — H. Shuknecht, N. 
Wunderlich and W. A. Kohler. J. H. Keeler was newly 
and J. M. Haug was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Monroe, J. H. Keeler, presiding elder ; Flint, S. 
Copley, lona, J. M. Haug. 

1288. Illinois Conference, Spring Creek, 111., April 13, 
Bishop Bowman, president; A. Fuessele (German), and W. 
Caton, (English), secretary. Licensed — O. F. Brose, C. W. 
Schlueter, W. H. Fehr and H. Shafer. Ordained elders — 
C. RoLOFF, C. S. Fehr, J. W. Schaefele and J. K. Shultz. 
Deacons — L. Schaefele, T. Murry, A. Haefele, T. A. Wood- 
siDE and H. F. Kletzing. C. Burkhart located. Became, 
supernumerary — H. Meyer, J. B. Reif, C. Schumaker and 
W. A. Unangst. Died — J. Himmel, H. H. Duth, G. M. 
Young and S. McLean, ]. ]. Kanaga, of the Ohio, and W. 
Elmer, of the Swiss Conference, received. D. B. Byers and 
S. Dickover were newly elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, D. B. Byers; Freeport, H. Messner ; Mendota; S. Dick- 
over ; Peoria, G. Vetter. 



GONFERENGE REG0RD8. 437 

1882. Iowa Conference, Dubuque, Iowa, April 20. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; J. F. Berner, secretary. M. J. Mil- 
ler, of the Michigan Conference, was admitted. Ordained 
elders — J. M. Zellhoefer, G. D. Flegler and P. Belzer. 
Deacon — H. Raecker. Died — Peter Gates and J. Herman. 
H. Kleinsorge and H. Lageschulte were elected presiding 
elders. 

Districts : Ackly, H. Lageschulte, presiding elder ; Dubuque, 
H. Klinesorge ; Des Moines, J. Henn. 

1882. Des Moines Conference, Des Moines, Iowa, April 
13. Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; E. B. Utt, secretary. 
Licensed — S. Skogsburg, J. Smith, G. Heilman, C. M. Pal- 
mer and C. M. Swender. Located — A. Y. Cupp and W. King. 
S. Hoover was superannuated. Ordained elders — H. H. Long, 
J. AuRACHER, T. J. Fink, William Bates and E. P. Leonard. 
Deacons — J. Wirth, J. W. Hamilton, C. J. Miller and Virgil 
Urbino. Credentials — A. J. Gramly and William Newman. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, J. H. Yaggy, presiding elder ; Des 
Moines, D. H. Kooker ; Afton, A. Bussard. 

1882. Kansas Conference, Captain's Creek, Kan., March 
16. Bishop T. Bowman, president. C. Berner, secretary. 
S. B. Brown returned to the East Pa. Conference. Died — L. 
Snyder. S. Weber, P. H. Rishel and J. S. Seip withdrew. 
Licensed — M. P. Waehlte. Ordained elders — C. F. Erf- 
meyer, p. Schuman, C. Brunt and S. H. Dunkelberger. 

Districts : Holton, L. Wenger, presiding elder ; Missouri, 
H. Mattill; South West, P. Fricker. 

1882. Platte River Conference, Blue Springs, Neb., 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; S. W. Kiplinger, secretary. 
Died — T. Monismith and Joseph Brox. Licensed — B. E. 
Smith, Josiah Haldeman, George Andrews and H. H. Ot- 
tinger and N. F. Kletzing. Deacon — H. M. Liebhart, P. J. 
Gressly and P. N. Lantz. 

C. W. Anthony, presiding elder of the conference district. 

1882* Nebraska Conference, Hastings, Neb., March 24. 
Bishop J. T. Esher, president ; A. Fisher, secretary. H. Alt- 
house was superannuated. Conferences was divided into two 
districts. F. Backemeyer was newly and J. P. Just was re- 
elected presiding elder. Ordained elders — A. Brauchle and 
O. Radinsky. Deacons — H. Sohl and G. Altstadt. 



438 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Districts : Fremont, J. P. Just, presiding elder ; Hastings, 
F. Backemeyer. 

1882. Erie Conference, North Amherst, Ohio, March 2. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — 
C. Newton Dubs, E. Moeller, J. Dietrich and C, Wohlge- 
muth. Ordained elders — H. Cordes and L. Pfifer. Dea- 
cons — C. A. Waltz and G. Zellhoefer. J. J. Bernhart 
joined the Ohio Conference. G. Berstecher, of the Indiana 
Conference, was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, J. G. Theuer, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, C. F. Negele. 

1882. New York Conference, Syracuse, N. Y., March 30. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. Reuber, secretary. Licensed — 
A. E. Mosher and J. Schlagenhauf. Ordained elders — H. 
Koch and P. E. Bahn. Deacons— J. G. Held and K. Har- 
DEL. D. Fisher became supernumerary. F. A. Sydow, of the 
Lutheran Church, was admitted. Died — H. Graves. 

Districts : Albany, A. Unholtz ; Rochester, M. Lehn ; Buf- 
falo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1882. Canada Conference, Jacobs, Ont., April 20. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; C. F. Braun, secretary. Died — 
H. HoLZMAN. Licensed — L. H. Wagoner and W. Berberich. 
Ordained elders— M. L. Wing, D. Rieder, J. C. Morelock 
and C. Staebler. Deacons — L. Wittich and F. Meyer. 
Joseph Umbach was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Waterloo, S. L. Umbach, presiding elder ; Sebring- 
ville, Joseph Umback ; Carrick, C. H. Spies ; Ottawa, C. F. 
Braun. 

1882. Atlantic Conference, Harrisburg, Pa., April 27. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; F. Kurtz, secretary. Licensed — 
F. Egger. H. Guelich, of the Swiss Conference, was ad- 
mitted. Credentials — R. Deisher and E. Heinrich. 

Jesse Yeakel presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1882. Wisconsin Conference, Jefferson, Wis., April 27. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; M. Wittenwyler, secretary. 
Licensed — G. F. Kiekhoefer, L. M. Siewert, F. Kruger 
and H. M. Scheurman. Deacon — D. Schneider. Ordained 
Elders — L. F. Emmert, G. Frederick, A. H. Finger and W. 
Detert. Credentials — C. Gruen. Died — A. Pipenburg. 

Districts : Milwaukee, L. Buehler, presiding elder; Madison, 
H. Schelp ; Fond du Lac, C. Finger ; Portage, A. Tamutzer. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 439 

1882. Minnesota Conference, Zion, Minn., May 5. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; H. Ohs, secretary. Deacons — 
G. DuBENDORF and P. Mumm. Ordained elders — J. G. Hal- 
LER, G. Spaeth, M. Gagstatter and F. C. Sydow. Licensed — 
L. S. Koch, G. J. Schmidt, A. Berreth, F. C. Yenny and J. 
Richards. Credentials — J. G. Haller, Jr. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. Bunse, presiding elder ; Minne- 
apolis, C. Briel ; St. Peter, A. Strohmeier ; Mankato, W. 
Stegner. 

1882. Pacific Conference, San Jose, CaL, June 9. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; F. W. Voeglein, secretary. The fol- 
lowing were received : S. E. Davis, of the Central Pa., P. 
BoTT, of the Minnesota, C. Gruen, of the Wisconsin, and W. 
AcKERMAN, of the Indian Conference. R. Stahle was ordained 
elder and was permitted to attend college. 

Districts : Oregon, J. Bowersox, presiding elder ; California, 
F. W. Voegelein. 

Notes. — The missionary operations of the Church during 
this year were more extensive than ever. The number of mis- 
sionaries in the home and foreign field was 401, serving be- 
tween 800 and 1,000 different appointments. The number of 
conversions on the mission fields aggregated 4,603, and the ac- 
cessions 6,034. Rev. A. Halmhuber, one of the missionaries 
in Japan, was compelled by reason of ill health to discontinue 
the work and return to the Fatherland. The missionary con- 
tributions of the year were liberal. The bequests made to the 
Missionary Society amounted to ;?i6,403, which was the largest 
amount received during any year in the history of the society 
from such sources. 

1883. East Pa. Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., February 
28, Bishop T. Bowman, president ; B. J. Smoyer, secretary. 
Died — J. M. Oplinger, J. Rhoads and W. W. Hambright, also 
Moses Dissinger, of the Kansas, but late of this conference. 
F. E. Erdman, of the Michigan Conference, was received, and 
also R. Deisher, of the Atlantic Conference. F. G. Stauffer 
went to the Ohio Conference. Licensed — W. E. Waltz, J. 
Stermer, F. D. Geary, A. Benfield, M. Manshard, W. 
Schuler, a. S. Kline, W. H. Medlar and A. B. Saylor. 
Ordained elders — D. Woodring, J. W. Hoover and D. W. 
Bixler. Deacons — F. G. Stauffer, W. H. Stauffer, H. H. 
Romberger and D. G. Reinhold. 



440 E VANGELIGAL AS80GIA TIOK ANNALS. 

Districts : Philadelphia, J. C. Hornberger, presiding elder ; 
AUentown, C. S. Haman ; Reading, I. E. Knerr ; Harrisburg, 

C. K. Fehr ; Pottsville, J. O. Lehr. 

1883, Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March i. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; P. W. Raidabaugh, secretary. 
Granted credentials — S. E. Davis, George Carothers and W. 
H. Davis. J. B. Fox, of the East Pa. Conference, was received. 
Licensed — G. S. Smith, J. C. Morgenthaler, O. L. Jacobs, S. 
M. Mounts, L. E. Crumbling, and two native Japanese, Motoi 
Matsuda and Jazo Takano. Ordained elders — C. W. Fink- 
binder, W. H. Hartman, S. F. Vought, J. W. Messinger and 
R. W. Runyan. Deacons — M. J. Snyder, A. W. Swengel, E. 

D. Keene, H. T. Searle, C. H. Goodling, I. C. Yeakel, H. 
S. Basom and C. F. Vale. A. L. Reeser resigned the office of 
presiding elder because of declining health. W. E. Detwiler 
was re-elected and M. J. Carothers and P. W. Raidabaugh 
were newly elected presiding elders. Jacob Boas, A. L. Reeser, 

E. Kohr, George Hunter, P. S. Orwig and S. W. Seibert took 
a superannuated relation. 

Districts: York, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder; Juniata, 
U. F. Swengel ; Lewisburg, P. W. Raidabaugh ; Williamsport, 
W. E Detwiler. 

1883, Pittsburg Conference, Immanuel's Church, Somerset 
county, Pa., March 15. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; H. H. 
Hurd, secretary. Licensed — A. B. Day, F. M. Brickley, G. 
J. Coleman and M. DeVaux. Ordained elders — M. J. Balen- 
tine, M. L. Weaver, E. F. Dickey, F. W. Barlett, T. B. Zel- 
LER and R. D. Dalzell. Deacons — W. F. Shannon, J. Q. A. 
Curry, D. F. Platt and N. S. George. Superannuated — G. S. 
Domer, J. A. Yount, a. W. Platt and J.Woodhull. 

Districts: Pittsburg, J. A. Grimm, presiding elder; Alle- 
gheny, J. D. Domer ; Franklin, T. G. Clewell ; Somerset, L. 
M. Boyer. 

1883. New York Conference, Buffalo, N. Y., March 8. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. Reuber, secretary. John 
Herrman was licensed. Ordained elder — H. A. Schneider. 
Deacons — L. Heinmiller and P. Bahn. P. Beck, of the Ger- 
many Conference, was received. 

Districts : Albany, A. Unholtz, presiding elder ; Rochester, 
A. Holzwarth ; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1883* Canada Conference, Zurich, Ont., April 19. Bishop 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 441 

T. Bowman, president ; M. L. Wing, secretary. Ordained elders 
— D. K. Brandt, E. Eby and S. C. Graef, Deacons— S. B. 
Kraft. 

Districts : South, S. L. Umbach ; West, Joseph Umbach ; 
North, C. A. Spies; Ottawa, C. F. Braun. 

1883. Ohio Conference, Mt. Cory, O., March 8. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; A. Vandersal, secretary. F. G. Stauffer, 
of the East Pa., and W. H. Bucks, of the Illinois Conference^ 
were admitted. Granted credentials — C. H. Dreisbach and S. 
Hoy. Licensed — A. Coply, W. P. Schott, and D. D. Hard. 
Ordained elders — J.Wengerd and G. H. Schneider. Deacons 
— J. H. Lamb and H. Brenneman. Located — J. Plantz. 

Districts: Cleveland, W.Whittington, presiding elder; Tiffin, 
H. T. Strauch ; Fremont, E. B. Crouse ; Columbus, S. P. Spreng. 

1883, Illinois Conference, Chicago, 111., April 8. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; F. Busse, secretary. Licensed — J.Van- 
deberg, F. Kraushaar, M. C. Frey, W. L. Walker, S. F. 
Entorf, J. Eager, G. W. Ballenger, I. Divan, F. Schwartz, 
A. W. RoHLAND and W. Hoffman. Ordained elders — C. Dis- 
meyer, C. a. Paeth, C. J. Frey, G. Harris and Prof. H. H. 
Rassweiler. Granted credentials — W. H. Bucks and J. W. 
Schaefle. G. Fuchs took an appointment at Denver, Col., 
under the Board of Missions. Died — T. Murry. 

Districts: Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
D. B. Byers j Freeport, H. Mesner; Mendota, S. Dickover ; 
Peoria, G. Vetter. 

1883. Erie Conference, Cleveland, O., March 8. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — E. 
KoEHNE, H. Wigand and C. W. Neuendorf. G. F. Behner 
was restored as local elder. Ordained elders — G. Goetz and P. 
Faul. Deacon — J. G. Ziegler. Died — N, Yoder. 

Districts: Cleveland, J. H. Theuer, presiding elder; Pitts- 
burg, C. F. Negele. 

1883. Atlantic Conference, Baltimore, Md., April 26, 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; F. Kurtz, secretary. Licensed — 
G. Redman and O. Arnold. M. Steckley, of the M. E. Church, 
was received. Ordained elders — J. Keller and A. Steltz. 
Deacon — A. L. Yeakel. Average salary for the past year, ^594. 

J. Yeakel, presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1883. Iowa Conference, Trumbull's Grove, Iowa, April 19. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; J. F. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 



442 EVANOELIGAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS 

S. Staebler, W. J. ScHMALLE and H. Knoll. Ordained elder — 
A. H. BuENTE. Deacons — L. P\ Schmidt, G. Brandstetter, 
J. D. Schaible and H. W. Hartman. 

Districts : Dubuque, H. Kleinsorge, presiding elder ; Ackley, 
H. Lageschulte ; Des Moines, J. Henn. 

1883. Des Moines Conference, Afton, Iowa, April 12. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; E. B. Utt, secretary. Licensed — > 
C. Knoll, G. W. Mullen, J. H. Rosenberg, G. McNeally, 
W. W. Morgan and F. S. Locke. Ordained deacons — B. H. 
NiEBEL, I. W. Kemberling, J. W. BucK, S. Skogsburg, T. M. 
Evans, A. F. Hahn and J. W. Walton. Located — S. Krell. 
S. W. Kiplinger, of the Platte River Conference, was received. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, J. H. Yaggy, presiding elder; Des 
Moines, D. H. Kooker ; Afton, A. Bussard. 

1883. Wisconsin Conference, Baraboo, Wis., April 26. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; P. Speich, secretary. Licensed — 
Theo. Schauer. Ordained elders — J. Schneller, J. A. Lie- 
wert and A. Heinhouse. Deacons — J. Nickel, M. Gaurke, 
W. H. Messerschmit, C. Heineck and A. Bucholtz. Died — 

G. WiNKOWITCH. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder , Madi- 
son, J. C. Brendle ; Fon du Lac, C, F. Zimmerman ; Portage, 
H. Schelp. 

1883. Indiana Conference, East Germantown, Ind., March 
29. Bishop R. Dubs, president ; D. S. Oakes, secretary. Li- 
censed — D. E. Hoover, D. H. Fuchs, P. A. Orth, W. Weiden- 
heft, J. E. Stoops, W. H. Brightmyer and L. S. Fisher. 
Ordained elders — H. Arlen and D. Martz. Deacon — J. E. 
Smith. Located — D. J. Pontius and J. Beck. Died — Samuel 
Heiss and S. K. Miesse. J. Berger was received. Granted 
credentials — E. R. Trover and F. F. Meyer. 

Districts: Elkhart, C. C. Baumgardner, presiding elder; 
Fort Wayne, D. S. Oakes ; Indianapolis, E. L. Kiplinger. 

1883. South Indiana Conference, Evansville, Ind., March 
22. Bishop R. Dubs, president; W. G. Braeckly, secretary. 
Licensed — G. Koch. Ordained deacons — G. M. Hallwachs, 
and F. Theiss. Located — J. Mode. J. Fuchs and J. Kaufman 
were re-elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Evansville, J. Kaufman, presiding elder ; Olney/, 
J. Fuchs. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS 443 

1883. Michigan Conference, Lima, Ind., April 5. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; G. G. Koch, secretary. Licensed — A. G. 
Winter and L. Soldan. Ordained elders — A. Scheurer and 
J. Snyder. Deacons — W. H. Wagoner and W. White. Died — 
R. Spatz. Located — P. Bittner. S. Goply was re-elected 
presiding elder. 

Districts : Monroe, J. H. Keeler, presiding elder ; Flint, S. 
Coply ; Iowa, J. M. Haug ; North Michigan, F. Mueller. 

1883. Platte River Conference, Alma, Neb., March 16. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; B. C. Oyler, secretary. Licensed — 
R. H. Miller and W. D. Stambach. Ordained elder — B. G. 
Oyler. 

G. W. Anthony, presiding elder of Conference District. 

1883. Nebraska Conference, Louisville, Neb., March 22. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; A. Fisher, secretary. Licensed — 
H. Wagoner and F. Wiegert. Ordained deacons — C. Suhr 
and W. H. Althouse. 

Districts: Fremont, J. P. Yust, presiding elder; Hastings, 
F. Backemeyer. 

1883. Minnesota Conference, Big Stone Circuit, Minn., 
May 4. Bishop T. Bowman, president ; H. Ohs, secretary. 
Licensed — H. Loewen, G. Seibold, W. Walter, W. Suckow, 
J. Fondrey and R. Leichman. Ordained elder — G. Husser, 
Deacons — G. J. Schmidt, H. Isker, W. Tesh, P. Laux and L. 
S. Koch. F. F. Meyer was received. Located — R. Johnston 
and W. C. Stegner. Died — P. Munn. H. E. Linse, A. Huel- 
ster and A. Knebel were newly elected presiding elders. 

Districts: Mankato, H. E. Linse, presiding elder; Minne- 
apolis, A. Strohmeier; St. Paul, H. Bunse ; Yankton, A. Knebel; 
Fargo, A. Huelster. 

1883. Kansas Conference, Marion county, Kan., March 23. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president, C. Berner, secretary. Licensed 
— J. F. Lance, G. Stamm and J. Naninga. Ordained elders — 
L. G. ScHNACKE, W. Daeschner, F. J. Schaefer and G. W. 
Snyder. Deacons — A. Bruner and T. W. Serf. S. Werner 
and K.W. Edgar withdrew. J. L. Pierce, of the M. E. Church, 
was received. J. Wuerth was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Missouri, H. 
Mattill; Southwest, P. Fricker. 

1883. Pacific Conference, Sacramento, Gal., May 31. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; F. W. Voegelein, secretary. 



444 E VANO ELICAL A880CIA TION ANNALS. 

Licensed — F. Reiser. Ordained deacons — H. I. Bittner and 
J. L. Hershner. Theodore Suhr was received and C. Waehlte 
was granted credentials. A resolution was passed requesting 
the coming General Conference to divide the Pacific Conference 
owing to the great extent of territory covered. 

Districts: Oregon, J. Bowersox, presiding elder; San Fran- 
cisco, F. W. Voegelein. 

Notes.— The year 1883 was characterized by events of the 
greatest moment to the Association. Dr. F. Krecker died at 
Tokio, Japan, April 26. His death, in that far-off land, and in 
the midst of great usefulness, created a feeling of profound sor- 
row throughout the entire Church. This sad circumstance was 
somewhat relieved by the early appointment of Prof. W. E. Waltz 
as an additional missionary to that country. 

The annual report of the corresponding secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society indicates unusual missionary interest. The 
number of mission fields was 427, and the number of missionaries 
420. The number of new missions located was 45 ; the total 
membership of the missions, 35,767. The mission Sunday- 
schools numbered 7 75, with 6, 9 1 o officers and teachers and 47,230 
scholars. The conversions on the missions numbered 4, 593 and 
the accessions 6, 158. The missionary contributions were larger 
than ever before, and aggregated ;^iii,566. During the past 
quadrennium the sum of $36,906 was raised in the American 
conferences for building churches and paying church debts in 
Europe. 

Biographical. — In addition to the large number of deaths 
noted in the various conference proceedings of this year, we give 
the following a more extended biographical notice : 

Rev. William B. STENGERdied at Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 6, 
in the very prime of his usefulness. He was born in Germany 
in 1832, entered the Illinois Conference in 1856 and was one 
of the first missionaries in Minnesota, and an original member 
of the Minnesota Conference. He was elected presiding elder 
in 1867 and three times thereafter. 

Rev. John Sindlinger died at Plainfield, 111., Oct. 21. He 
was born in Germany in 1807, in 1819 his father removed to 
Pennsyvlania (see Blockhouse), where the whole family was con- 
verted under the labors of John Seybert, in 1834 he entered 
the Eastern Conference, was elected presiding elder in 1839 in 



CONFERENCE RECORDS 445 

the West Pa. Conference, and again in 1850; removed in 1854 
to Illinois, where he labored several years. 

Rev. Samuel Dickover, presiding elder of Mendota District, 
Illinois Conference, died Nov. 10. He was born in Wayne 
county, Ind., in 1826, converted at a camp-meeting in 1841, in 
1846 entered the Illinois Conference, and in 1881 was elected 
presiding elder for the sixth time. In November he was fatally 
injured in a railway collision while on his way to attend a quar- 
terly meeting on Vermillion Circuit. He was many times a 
delegate to General Conference, and a man of prominence. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



Eighteenth General Conference, Held at Allentown, 
Pa., Oct. 4-25, 1883. 

1883. General Conference, eighteenth session, Allentown, 
Pa., Oct. 4-25. Presiding bishops: J. J. Esher, R. Dubs and 
T. Bowman; W. Horn, secretary; R. Matt, G. Heinmiller, 
S. P. Spreng and U. F. Swengel, assistant secretaries. 

Rev. E. Light, fraternal delegate from the United Brethren 
Church, delivered an address before the conference, which was 
suitably acknowledged. 

The following resolutions were adopted by a rising vote : 

* 'Whereas, Brother S. Neitz, a delegate elected by the East 
Pa. Conference to this body, has been stricken down by disease, 
so as to be unable to attend this General Conference ; therefore, 

^^ Resolved, That we hereby express our sympathy with our 
dear brother in his affliction, and pray our kind heavenly Father 
to speedily restore him to usual health. " 

The Committee on Memorials, in their report, noted the 
death of John George Zinzer, Dr. Frederick Krecker and 
John M. Sindlinger, more extended mention of whom will be 
found elsewhere in this work. 

Among the items adopted was the making of women eligible as 
stewards, and another expunging from the Discipline the rule put- 
ting members on probation for marrying an unconverted person. 

The Woman's Missionary Society, at a convention held in 
Cleveland, O., June 4, petitioned the General Conference to 
permit their organization to be denominational, and operate as 
an auxiliary to the Parent Society. The conference took the 
following action at their request : 

^^Resolved, That permission to organize such a society is 
hereby granted under the following conditions : ( i )That all local 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 447 

women's societies shall be under the supervision of the preacher- 
in-charge, where such societies shall be or are already organized; 
(2) that the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangelical 
Association shall be auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the 
Evangelical Association, and under the supervision of the B6ard 
of Missions, and shall annually submit their proceedings to said 
board for examination and approval." 

The Pacific Conference was divided, and the Oregon and 
California Conferences constituted. The Dakota Conference 
was formed of part of the Minnesota. 

The Christliche Botschafter and Evangelical Mesesnger were 
ordered to be published in book form. An English family mag- 
azine was ordered to be published as soon as 16,000 subscribers 
to the same are secured. 

The election of officers resulted as follows : Bishops, J. J. 
EsHER, R. Dubs and T. Bowman ; senior publisher, M. Lauer ; 
junior publisher, W. Yost; editor of Christliche Botschafter^^ . 
Horn; tdhox oi Evangelical Messenger, H. B. Hartzler; editor 
of Evangelische Magazine and German Sunday-School Litera- 
ture, C. A.Thomas ; editor of Living Epistle z-nd English Sunday- 
School Literature, P. W. Raidabaugh ; corresponding secretary 
of the Missionary Society, S. Heininger ; treasurer of the Mis- 
sionary Society, S. L. Wiest ; agent of the publishing house in 
Germany, J. Waltz; editor of the Evangelische Botschafter, 
etc., in Germany, G. Fuessele ; superintendent of Orphan 
Home, E. Kohr. 

Delegates — East Fa. Conference. — C. K. Fehr,C. S. Haman 
J. C. Hornberger, J. O. Lehr, I. E. Knerr, B. J. Smoyer, S. S. 
Chubb, S. C. Breyfogel,* B. F. Bohner* and A. M. Stirk.* 

Central Pa. Conference. — W. E. Detwiler, M. J. Carothers, 
S. W. Seibert, U. F. Swengel, P. W\ Raidabaugh, J. Young and 
E. Kohr. 

Pittsburg Conference.— ]. D. Domer, L. M. Boyer, T. G. 
Clewell, W. M. Stanford, G. S. Domer and T. Bach. 

Ohio Conference. — W.Wittington, E, B. Grouse, H.T. Strauch 
S. P. Spreng, J. Stull, D. Strohman and William Yost.* 

New York Conference. — M. Pfitzinger, A. Holzwarth ani 
M. Lehn. 

Atlantic Conference. — F. Kurtz and J. Yeakel. 

♦Alternates. 



448 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Erie Conference. — C. F. Negele, J. G. Theuer and N. Mott. 

Canada Conference. — J. Umbach, C. A. Spies, S. L. Umbach 
and C. F. Braun. 

Michigan Conference. — J. M. Haug, J. M. Fuchs, S. Hein- 
inger, E. Weis and S. Coply. 

Indiana Conference. — E. L. Kiplinger, C. C. Baumgardner, 

D. S. Oakes and M. W. Steffy. 

South Indiana Conference. — J. Fuchs and J. Kaufman. 

Illinois Conference. — H. Messner, D. B. Byers, S. Dickover, 
J. Schneider, H. Rohland, C. Lindeman, C. Augenstein, W, 
Huelster and M. Stamm. 

Wisconcin Conference. — G. Fritsche, C. F. Zimmerman, J. 

E. Brendel, H. Schelp and A. Tarnutzer. 

Iowa Conference, — H. Kleinsorge, H. Lageschulte and J. F. 
Berner. 

Des Moines Conference. — D. H. Kooker, J. H. Yaggy, A. 
Bussard and J. F. Yerger.* 

Platte River Conference. — C. W. Anthony. 

Nebraska Conference. — F. Backemeyer. 

Kansas Conference. — H. Mattill, J. Wuerth, P. Fricker and 
J. G. Pfeifer. 

Minnesota Conference. — H. E. Linse, H. Bunse, A. Stroh- 
meier and Augustus Huelster. 

Pacific Conference. — F. W. Voegelein. 

German Conference. — J. Kaechele and G. Fuessele. 

Swiss Conference. — H. Hintze and G. Heinmiller. 

Ex-officio Members. — M. Lauer, W. Horn, H. B. Hartzler, 
C A. Thomas, H. J. Bowman and S. L. Wiest. 

1884. East Pa. Conference, Lebanon, Pa., Feb. 27. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; S. C. Breyfogel, secretary. Licensed — 
E. B. Mauger, H. a. Smith, C. C. Speicher, C. Rothermel, 
W. W. Yost, J. P. Miller, A. H. Snyder and G. Holtzapple. 
Ordained deacons — C. D. Dreher, H. M. Wingert, I. F. Heis- 
ler, J. S. Overholtzer and C. J. Warmkessel. M. W. Harris 
was reinstated to his former relation as elder. Granted creden- 
tials — J. H. Hashinger. Died — Joseph Gross, S. Miesse, J. 
B. Cole and Dr. F. Krecker, missionary in Japan. J. C. 
Hornberger was re-elected and B. J. Smoyer and A. M. Stirk 
were newly elected presiding elders. 

*Alternates 



CONFERENCE RECORDS 449 

Districts : Philadelphia, C. K. Fehr, presiding elder ; Allen- 
town, C. S. Haman; Reading, J. C. Hornberger; Harrisburg, 
A. M. Stirk; Pottsville, B. J. Smoyer. 

1884. Central Pa. Conference, Milton, Pa., March 6. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president; J. M. Ettinger, secretary. 
Granted credentials — E. James and J. O. McCurdy. Licensed — 
E. O. GooDLiNG and J. Tyler. Ordained elder — J. M. Dick. 
Deacons — J. R. Sechrist, J. H. Welch, J. D. Shortiss, H. D. 
Benfer, S. M. Mountz, C. Stroup and D. M. Strine. S. W. 
Seibert and J. M. ExTiNGERwerenewly elected presiding elders. 

Districts: York, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder; Juniata, 
J. M. Ettinger; Lewisburg, S. W. Seibert; Williamsport, W. 
E. Detwiler. 

1884. Pittsburg Conference, Johnstown, Pa., March 13. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; G. W. Brown, secretary. Died — 
H. Gathers and J. H. Yount. Licensed — A. W. Brickley, J. 
N. Buzza, a. Haun and J. Stouffer. Ordained deacons — S. 
J. Eaton, C. H. Miller, A. C. Miller and I. B. Coban. J. D. 
Domer was re-elected and D. K. Lavan was newly elected pre- 
siding elder. J. H.Vote, of the Ohio Conference, was received. 
C. C. Poling and F. T. Strayer took work in the Oregon con- 
ference. 

Districts : Pittsburg, J. D. Domer ; Allegheny, J. A. Grimm ; 
Franklin, T. G. Clewell; Somerset, D. K. Lavan. 

1884, New York Conference, Webster, N. Y., March 13. 
Bishop J. J. EsHER, president ; J. Reuber, secretary. Licensed — 
G. ScHLOERB. Ordained elder — J. G. Held. Deacons — J. 
Shenk and J. Schlagenhauf. Located — C. Hardel. With- 
drew — F. A. Sydow. Granted credentials — S. Bean and A. 
ScHLENK. M. Pfitzinger was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Albany, A. Holzwarth, presiding elder; Rochester, 
M. Pfitzinger; Buffalo, A. Unholtz. 

1884* CanadaConference,Waterloo,Ont., April 10. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president; M. L. Wing, secretary. Licensed — S. 
Knechtel, D. Clemens, J. Ortwein and J. Schwalm. Ordained 
elders — L. Wittich and F. Meyer. Deacon — L. H. Wagner. 
C. Bohlender, of the Mennonite Church, was received. Granted 
credentials — W. Lingelbach. C. A. Spies resigned the office 
of presiding elder and J. J. Kliphart was elected in his stead. 

Districts : South, S. L. Umbach, presiding elder ; West, J. J. 
Kliphart ; North, Joseph Umbach ; Ottawa, S. N. Moyer. 



450 E VANOELIGAL A8S0CIA TlON ANNALS. 

1884, Erie Conference, Sandusky, O., March 6. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — C. 
Klaholtz, H. Fuessner and J. Hosbach. Ordained deacons — 
C. Wohlgemuth, P. Wiest and E. Beck. Received — R. Yea 
KEL, W. F. Zander, C. Munk and W. Lingelbach. Granted 
credentials — L. Scheuerman and L. Pfeifer. C. F. Negele 
was re-elected and C. L. Witt newly elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Cleveland, C. F. Negele, presiding elder; Pitts- 
burg, C. L. Witt. 

1883. Atlantic Conference, Brooklyn, N. Y., April 25. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president. Licensed — A. Swan and F. 
Frank. Ordained elders — A. D. Pfort and H. P. Boll. Dea- 
con — F. Egger. J. Dooly was dismissed. T. Plattenberger 
and J. S. Farnsworth died. S. Werner was received. H. 
Guelich was elected presiding elder. 

H. Guelich, presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1884, South Indiana Conference, Jonesboro, Ind., March 
19. Bishop T. Bowman, president; G. Braeckly, secretary. 
Licensed — John Mundorf. Ordained deacon — E. J. Nitsche. 
J. Fuchs resigned the office of presiding elder and F. Schweitzer 
was elected to the same. Located — C. F. Matheis and J. Fuchs. 
F. Launer and W. Koenig were received. 

Districts : Evansville, J. Kaufman, presiding elder ; Olney, 
J. Schweitzer. 

1884, Indiana Conference, Rochester, Ind., March 27. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; D. S. Oakes, secretary. Li- 
censed — G. B. Holdeman, C. Benner, F. Rousch and J. H. 
ScHNiTZ. B. Ruh was restored. R. Reigel was received. F. 
Launer and W. Koenig joined the South Indiana Conference. 

E. L. Kiplinger located. J. Berger was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Elkhart, C. C. Baumgardner; Fort Wayne, D. S. 
Oakes ; Indianapolis, J. Berger. 

1884. Ohio Conference, Belleview, O., April 10, Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; A. Vandersal, secretary. Licensed — 
I. M. HousER, P. Cocklin, E. Spreng, M. E. Rife and T. C. 
Luse. Ordained elders — J. S. Reinhart and E. B. Shoemaker. 
Deacons — A. N. McCauly, J. S. Fitterer and J. B. Kanaga. 

F. C. Hoffman, withdrew. Granted credentials — J. J. Bernhart, 
C. A. Munk and H. T. Strauch. H. C. Berger was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, W.Whittington, presiding elder ; Tiffin, 
A. Vandersal; Fremont, E. B. Grouse; Columbus, S. P. Spreng. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 451 

1884. Illinois Conference, Geneseo, 111., April lo. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; A. Fuessele, secretary. Licensed — W. 
Waldhausen, G. Hemkens, J. M. Schaefele, J. Buente, J. 
Alber, D. T. Kahl, G. Barth, A. J. Culver and I. T. Haver- 
field. Ordained elders — A. Haefele, T. W. Woodside, W. A. 
Unangst and L. W. Schaefele. Deacons — J. H. Johnson and 
J. W. Franks. J. J. Elftman took credentials. Died — J. G. 
ZiNZER, J. M. Sindlinger and S. Dickover. J. Schneider 
and H. Messner were re-elected, and A. Fuessele and W.Huel- 
ster were newly elected presiding elders. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, D. B. Byers; Freeport, W. Huelster; Mendota, H. Mess- 
ner; Peoria, A. Fuessele. 

1884. Wisconsin Conference, Menomonee, Wis., April 17. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; J. L. Runkel, secretary. Li- 
censed — G. J. Erfmeyer, C. Berg, G. Klaiber and G. Kurtz. 
Ordained elder — D. Schneider. Deacons — G. F. Kiekhoefer 
and L. M. Siewert. J. Meyer and G. Keller (locals), and 
P. Held and O. Kuederling (itinerants) received credentials. 
J. Koch located. J. G. Esslinger died. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder; Madison, 
J. C. Brcndel ; Fon du Lac,C. F. Zimmerman; Portage, H. Schelp. 

1884. Michigan Conference, Portage Prairie, Mich., April 
3. Bishop T. Bowman, president; F. Klump, secretary. Wm. 
Binder died. Licensed — Wm.Vogel, C.Vincent, J. L. Haltz- 
MAN, A. Bogen, p. Scheurer, Chas. Ross, Chas. Kramer, 
Noah Frey, J. A. Swenk, George Johnson and S. P. Krause. 
Ordained elders — W. A. Koehler, H. Schuknecht and M. 
Wunderlich. 

Districts : Monroe, J. H. Keeler, presiding elder ; Detroit, 
S. Coply; lona, J. M. Haug; North Michigan, F. Miller. 

1884, Des Moines Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 
17. Bishop T. Bowman, president; E. B. Utt, secretary. 
Licensed — L. Staufacher, AV. J. Conrad and S. P. Hayden. 
Ordained elders — C. J. Miller and Virgil Urbino. Deacons — 
A. E. Mosher and G. L. Springer. J. Wagoner was super- 
annuated. Granted credentials — William Bates. W. Piper 
was received from the M. E. Church. D. H. Kooker was re- 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, J. H. Yaggy, presiding elder; Des 
Moines, D. H. Kooker; Afton, A. Bussard. 



452 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

1884. Iowa Conference, Ackley, Iowa, April 24. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; E. J. Shultz, secretary. Licensed — 
A. GoETZ, S. Sassman, Carl Gerhart, G. Knoche, J. Belau 
and A. Schmalle. Ordained elder — H. Raeker. P. Held, of 
the Wisconsin Conference, was received. Granted credentials — 
H. Brauer, C. Pfeil and H. Raeker. 

Districts : Dubuque, H. Kleinsorge, presiding elder ; Ackley, 
H. Lageschulte; Des Moines, J. Henn. 

1884. Minnesota Conference, St. Paul, Minn., May 2, 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; H. Ohs, secretary. Licensed — 
L. Staff, F. Arndt, H. Seder and D. Seder. Ordained elder 
— G. Duebendorf. Masatada Schmidzu and Neba Rage 
Horiye, natives of the Japan Mission, were licensed to preach. 
Wm. Stegner died. H. Bunse was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts ; St. Paul, H. E. Linse, presiding elder ; Minneap- 
olis, A. Strohmeier; Mankato, H. Bunse. 

1884. Dakota Conference, first session, Big Stone City, 
D. T., May 9. Bishop R. Dubs, president; F. F. Meyer, sec- 
retary. Licensed — A. Oertli. Ordained deacons — W. Blanch- 
ARD, A. Berreth, J. Fandrey and F. C. Yenny. W. Bates 
and O. Kuederling were received. 

Districts : Yankton, A. Knebel, presiding elder ; Fargo, A. 
Huelster. 

1884. Nebraska Conference, Stanton, Neb., March 6. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Fisher, secretary. Licensed — 
F. Beckman and B. F. Meyers. Ordained elder — H. Soul. 
Deacons — L. Neitzel and I. Laipley. G. Alstadt located. 
H. Raeker was received. Granted credentials — S. W. McKesson. 

Districts: Fremont, J. P. Just, presiding elder; Hastings, 
F. Backemeyer. 

1884. Platte River Conference, Glenville, Neb., March 14. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; B. C. Oyler, secretary. Licensed — 
S. B. DiLLOw, D. W. Anderson, W. L. Dillow and L. G. 
Brooker. Ordained elders — P. N. Lantz, P. J. Gressly and 
H. M. LiEBHART. Deacons — N. F. Kletzing, Josiah Halde- 
man, J. Richards and S. J. Shupp. S. W. McKesson and T. 
W. Serf were received. 

C. W. Anthony, presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1884. Kansas Conference, Nemaha Circuit, Kan. , March 20, 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. Berner, secretary. Licensed — 
A. Ernst, M. Walter, A. Sweitzer and D. Swart, Ordained 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 453 

deacon — G. Dienst. T. Serf joined the Platte River Confer- 
ence. G. SoRG and A. Mattill were received. J. H. Tobias 
was elected presiding elder. Two thousand seven hundred and 
ten dollars was raised at the conference session for the mission- 
ary cause. 

Districts : Holton, J. Wuerth, presiding elder ; Kansas City, 
H. Mattill; Emporia, P. Fricker; Newton, J. H. Tobias. 

1884. California Conference, first session, Santa Ana,Cal., 
Feb. 12. Bishop R. Dubs, president; F. W. Fisher, secretary. 
Ordained deacon — H. P. Hoesly. T. Suhr was elected presid- 
ing elder. H. W. Axthelm was deposed from the ministry and 
expelled from the Church. 

T. Suhr, presiding elder of the Conference District; F. W. 
Voegelein, missionary in Japan. 

1884. Oregon Conference, first session, Corvallis, Ore., 
May 23. Bishop R. Dubs, president: C. C. Poling, secretary. 
Conference was organized with the following members : J. Bow- 

ERSOX, A. SCHLENK, A. KrECKER, F. J. StRAYER, J. A. HOLLEN- 

bach, H. I. BiTTNER, J. L. Hershner, S. E. Davis and C. C. 
Poling. J. Bowersox was elected presiding elder. 

J. Bowersox, presiding elder of the Conference District. 

1885. East Pa. Conference, Catasauqua, Pa., Feb. 25. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. S. Breyfogel, secretary. Died — 
A. H. OvERHOLT, D. Hambright and S. Breyfogel. Granted 
credentials — A. D. Light. Ordained elders — H. H. Rumber- 
ger, D. G. Reinhold and W. H. Stauffer. Deacons — J. 
Stermer, F. D. Geary, A. B. Saylor, A. S. Kline, W. Shuler 
and W. E. Waltz. Licensed— E. R. Seip, D. J. Ebert, B. C. 
Krupp, a. J. Brunner, S. Buntz, W. J. Johnson, A. E. Wil- 
liams, W. M. Fetter, D. S. Manning and A. H. Doerstler. 
A. Krecker, of the Oregon, and J. M. Longsdorf, of the Cen- 
tral Pa. Conference, were admitted. A mission was established 
in Florida. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. K. Fehr, presiding elder; Allen- 
town, C. S. Haman; Reading, J. C. Hornberger; Harrisburg, 
A. M. Stirk; Pottsville, B. J. Smoyer. 

1885. Central Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 4. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; A. Stapleton, secretary. Died — Jacob 
Boas and M. Sloat. Licensed — C. W. Leonard, C. L. Sones, 
C. V. B. Aurand, W. L. Beaumont, R. Hollenbach and M. I. 



454 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Jamison. Ordained elders — M. F. Fosselman, H. T. Searle, 

E. D. Keene, C. H. Goodling, I. C. Yeakel and Prof. A. E. 
Gobble. Deacons — J. B. Fox, L. E. Crumbling and J. F. 
Thomas. Granted credentials — J. M. Longsdorf. A. S. Baum- 
GARDNER was received from the Pittsburg Conference ; also J. 
L. Miller, of the United Brethren Church. 

Districts : York, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder ; Juniata, 
J. M. Ettinger ; Lewisburg, S. W. Seibert ; Williamsport, W. E. 
Detwiler. 

1885, Pittsburg Conference, Millville, Pa,, April 23. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; G. W. Brown, secretary. Granted creden- 
tials — A. W. Platt and A. S. Baumgardner. S.Coy withdrew. 
J. Dick and A. Niebel were superannuated. Died — H. H. Hurd 
and T. Eisenhower (itinerants), and H. S. Stouffer (local). 
Licensed — J. Smith, H. M. Fink, E. E. Rickenbrod, J. B. 
Ward, F. Berkey, J. L. Mull, W. H. Cramer, H. Houst, C. 

F. McCauly, J. H. Shimp, H. J. Wise and C. D. Slagel. 
Ordained elders — W. F. Shannon, J. Q. A. Curry and D. F. 
Platt. Deacons — F. D. Ellenberger, F. M. Brickley, C. J. 
Coleman, G. W. Finnecy and M. V. Devaux. J. A. Grimm 
resigned the office of presiding elder because of ill-health, and 
I. A. Rohland was elected to the same. 

Districts: Franklin, T. G. Clewell, presiding elder; Pitts- 
burg, J. D. Domer; Allegheny, I. A. Rohland; Somerset, D. 
K. Lavan. 

1885, Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 9. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; G. Vetter (German) and W. Caton 
(English), secretaries. Died — J. Dunlap, J. Erb and C. Bar- 
tels. Licensed — J. Kraft, J. Elmer, H. Moser, H. Thoren, 
J. Klupp, J. Stengel, C. Vaubel, A. Wiegman, J. Divan and 
H. Pope. Ordained elders — E. K. Yeakel and J. H. Shultz. 
Deacons — O. Brose, F. Schwartz, F. Kraushaar, H. Lueder, 
S. F. Entorf, G. W. Ballenger, I. Divan and J. Sturm. 

Districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, presiding elder ; Naper- 
ville, D. B. Byers ; Freeport, W. Huelster ; Mendota, H. Mess- 
ner; Peoria, A. Fuessele. 

1885. Ohio Conference, Cary, O., April 9. Bishop R. 
Dubs, president; A. C. Stull, secretary. Died — F. R. Tothe- 
roh, E. L. Over, Daniel Brickley and J. Ebert. Licensed — 
W. D. Huddle, A. F. Beery, J. H. Ablett and W. H. Munk. 
Ordained elders — J. H. Lamb and F. G. Stauffer. Deacons — 



CONFERENCE BEGORDS. 455 

A. S. Copley and J. H. Blaser. Granted credentials — C. T. 
Luce. W. H. Bucks was elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Columbus, S. P. Spreng, presiding elder ; Cleve- 
land, W. H. Bucks; Tiffin, A.Vandersal; Fremont, E. B. Crouse. 

1885. Michigan Conference, lona, Mich., April 2. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; F. Klump, secretary. Died — P. Swilly. 
Licensed — A. Norton, F. C. Berger, W. Snyder and J. J. 
Marshall. Ordained elder — W. H. Wagner. Deacons — A. 
Winter and L. Gingerich. 

Districts: Monroe, J. H. Keeler, presiding elder; lona, J. 
M. Haug; Detroit, S. Copley; North Michigan, F. Mueller. 

1885. Nebraska Conference, West Point, Neb., March 26. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; A. Fisher, secretary. Licensed — 
M. Miller. Ordained elders — C. Suhr and W. H. Althouse. 
Deacons — H. Wegner and F. L. Wiegert. 

Districts: Fremont, J. P. Just, presiding elder; Hastings, 

F. Backemeyer. 

1885. Platte River Conference, Blue Springs, Neb., March 
13. Bishop T. Bowman, president; B. C. Oyler, secretary. 
Licensed — J. M. Humbert, B. F. Rogers, N. J. Kirkpatrick, 
T. Leland and J. W. Nye. Ordained elder— T. W. Serf. 
Deacon — W. D. Stambach. E. L. Kiplinger, of the Indiana 
Conference, was received. 

C. W. Anthony, presiding elder of Conference District. 

1885. Erie Conference, Allegheny, Pa., March 5. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — J. 
Elrich, F. Rothert and T. C. Meckel. Ordained elder — J. 

G. Zeigler. Deacons — H.Wiegand, H. Huebner, E. Koehne 
and W. Stadhelder. H. Cordes went to the California Con- 
ference. 

Districts : Cleveland, C. F. Negele, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, C. L.Witt. 

1885. Atlantic Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., April 30. 
Bishop R. DuBS, president ; J. F. Grob, secretary. Licensed — 
P. Blank and G. Hauser. Ordained elder — A. L. Yeakel. 
Deacon — G. Redman. C. B. Fliehr died. Granted creden- 
tials — A. F. Leopold. 

H. Guelich, presiding elder of Conference District. 

1885. New York Conference, Utica, N. Y., March 12. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; R. Reuber, secretary. Located — 
M. Yauch. J. Kaechele, of the Germany Conference, was 



456 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

received. Licensed — A. A. Holswarth, B. Miller, W. Schoep- 
FLEiN, H. Merle and W. Merle. Ordained elders — L. Hein- 
MiLLER and D. Miller. J. Schaaf and D. Fisher were super- 
annuated. 

Districts : Albany, C. F. Schoepflein, presiding elder ; 
Rochester, A. Holswarth; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1885. Canada Conference, New Hamburg, Ont., April i6. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; C. F. Braun, secretary. Licensed — 
J. T. Hauch and D. H. Mover. Ordained elder — S. B. Kraft. 
Deacons — S. R. Knechtel, F. S. Spies and G. B. Braun. S. L. 
Umbach was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts: South, J. J. Kliphart, presiding elder; North, S. 
L. Umbach; West, J. Umbach; Ottawa, S. N. Moyer. 

1885. Indiana Conference, South Bend, Ind., March 26. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; H. Arlen, secretary. Licensed — 
G. Streicher, E. Myers and D. D. Speicher. Ordained elder 
— J. E. Smith. Deacons — P. A. Orth, J. C. Stoops, L. S. 
Fisher, W. H. Brightmver, R. Ranev and C. Hansing. Granted 
credentials — W. Koenig and E. L. Kiplinger. E. Weishaar, 
of the Germany Conference, was admitted. Died — F. Hoff- 
man (local). 

Districts : Elkhart, C. C. Baumgardner, presiding elder ; 
Fort Wayne, D. S. Oakes ; Indianapolis, J. Berger. 

1885. South Indiana Conference, Carmi, 111., March 19. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; W. G. Braeckley, secretary. Li- 
censed — C. DoERiNG. Ordained elders — G. M. Hallwachs and 
F. Theiss. 

Districts : Evansville, J. Kaufman, presiding elder ; Olney, 
F. Schweitzer. 

1885. Minnesota Conference, Winona, Minn., April 30. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; H. Ohs, secretary. Licensed — 
C. F. Kachel, O. Shultz and J. Graeben. Ordained elders — 
H. Isker and G. J. Schmidt. Deacons — G. H. Siebold and 
W. Walter. Granted credentials — M. Knopf. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. E. Linse, presiding elder ; Minneap- 
olis, A. Strohmeier ; Mankato, H. Bunse. 

1885. Des Moines Conference, Des Moines, Iowa, April 2- 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; E. B. Utt, secretary. Died — 
S. Hoover. Licensed— J. V. Hummel, T. Fee, N. Day, N. B. 
NiEBEL, J. A. Hornberger and S. Smith. Ordained elders — 
J. Wirth, S. a. Walton and J. Buck. Deacons — G. W. Mul- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 457 

LEN, C. Knoll, G. F. Hcilman and W. Piper. D. H. Kooker, 
because of ill -health, resigned the office of presiding elder, and 
J. H. Yaggy was re-elected and E. B. Utt newly elected to 
the office. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, E. B. Utt, presiding elder; Des 
Moines, J. H. Yaggy. 

1885. Iowa Conference, Dysart, Iowa, April i6. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; E. J. Shultz, secretary. Ordained 
elders — G. Brandstetter, J. D. Schaible and H. W. Hartman. 
Deacons — S. L. Staebler and W. J. Schmalle. 

Districts : Dubuque, H. Kleinsorge, presiding elder ; Ackley, 
H. Lageschulte; Des Moines, J. Henn. 

1885. Wisconsin Conference, Milwaukee, Wis., April 23. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. L. Runkel, secretary. Li- 
censed — R. EiLERT, A. LuTZ, H. LuTZ, J. Trautman, C. W. 
Wilson, C. Punzel and F. A. Mundt. Ordained elders — M. 
Gauerke, J. Nickel and W. H. Messersmith. Deacons — C. 
Shauer, G. Reichert> F. Krueger and H. M. Schuerman. 
Granted credentials— J. P. Viel. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder ; Fon du 
Lac, C. F. Zimmerman ; Madison, C. F. Brendel ; Portage, 
H. Schelp. 

1885. Kansas Conference, Camp Creek, Kan., March 19. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; C. Berner, secretary. Died — 
W. Heiser (local). Granted credentials — L. C. Schnacke. 
L. E. Becher, W. Wolthousen and W. H. Rosenberg were 
received. Licensed — E. Brown, G. Wilson, M. C. Platz, W. 
Stauffer and J. K. Young. Ordained deacons — T. R. Man- 
iNGA, L. E. Becher and J. W. Kaiser. H. Mattill was re- 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts: Holton, H. Mattill, presiding elder; Kansas City, 
J. Wuerth ; Newton, J. H. Tobias. 

1885. Dakota Conference, Casselton, Dak., May 15. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; F. F. Meyer, secretary. Licensed — 
J. Price, A. Geyman W. Green and H. Wolf. Ordained elders — 
L. S. Koch, P. Laux and W. Tesch. Deacons — W. Suckow, R. 
W. Teichman and A. Ortli. Granted credentials — F. C. Yenny. 

Districts: Fargo, A. Huelster, presiding elder; Yankton, 
A. Knebel. 

1885. Oregon Conference, Portland, Ore., May 23. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; C. C. Poling, secretary. Ordained elder — 



458 EVANGELICAL A8S0G1A TION ANNAL8. 

H. I. BiTTNER. Deacons — A. R. Johnson and Joseph. Taylor. 
H. Shuknecht was received. 

J. Bowersox, presiding elder of Conference District. 

1885. California Conference, San Francisco, Cal., May 
29. Bishop R. Dubs, president; F. W. Fisher, secretary. H. 
Brauer, J. M. ScHAEFELE and H. Cordes were received. R. 
Stahli was dismissed. T. Suhr resigned the office of presiding 
elder and H. Brauer was elected in his stead. 

H. Braiier, presiding elder of Conference District. 

Notes — The year 1885 was in many particulars an eventful 
one. In December, 1 884, Bishop J. J. Esher, accompanied by his 
wife, started from San Francisco, Cal., for Japan. He remained 
a considerable length of time in the Orient, and in his episcopal 
capacity, made some radical changes in the management of the 
mission. His official report to the Board of Missions gave rise 
to very serious misunderstandings which eventuated in an acrimo- 
nious controversy respecting his attitude toward several of the 
missionaries, and especially towards the Superintendent, J. 
Hartzler. The consequences of this report are inseperably con- 
nected with subsequent events of the greatest moment in the 
history of the church. Bishop Esher returned by the Western 
route, thus circumnavigating the globe. On his return he stopped 
sufficiently long in Europe to hold the German and Swiss Con- 
ferences in the beginning of June. 

The annual report of the Corresponding Secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society, shows that the church supported this year 443 
missions in the homeland, supplied with 435 missionaries. The 
number of new missions located was 53. These missions sus- 
tained 742 Sunday-schools, with 8,581 officers and teachers and 
42,425 scholars. The numbers of conversions on these missions 
was 5,123 and the number of accessions 6,871. The receipts 
of the Missionary Treasury were in round numbers $114,000, 
which was less than the previous years. The debt had increased 
to over $41,000. 

The East Pennsylvania Conference, at its session of 1885, 
established a mission in the state of Florida, with Rev. J. L. 
Guinther as missionary. In midwinter 1886, Rev. J. C. Horn- 
BERGER, a presiding elder of the East Pa. Conference, made the 
first official visit to the mission, at which time the first three 
Evangelical Churches in that state were dedicated. The first 
at Oriole, Jan. 2, 1886. The second a re-opening of a church 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 459 

purchased from another society at Bronson, Jan. 9th. The 
M/V^ at Fairmount, Jan. i6th. The \fork was visited about a 
year later by Bishop R. Dubs. 

At the General Conference of 1883, a Normal Course of 
study, similar to the Chautauqua, was recommended for home 
study, with special regard to the needs of Sunday-school work- 
ers. The editors of the Sunday-school literature were author- 
ized to prepare the series of books necessary and arrange for the 
formation of classes throughout the church, and the granting of 
suitable diplomas upon the completion of the course. The 
series consisted of ten small hand-books, written by various 
ministers of the church, and covered pretty thoroughly the 
field of Biblical knowledge. These books made their appear- 
ance at irregular intervals during this year, (1885), the last 
volume being issued, near the close of the year. The Normal 
Plan met with general favor, and many classes were formed. 

Biographical. — The ministerial death roll this year was quite 
large. Although most of the following names occur in the pro- 
ceedings of their respective conferences, we summarize them 
here for ready reference, with place of death and age. Jos. 
Ebert, Ohio, 77 ; Jos. Erb, Brookrille, 111., 53 ; Charles 
Erhardt, Orange Co., Florida, 48 ; C. B. Fliehr, Phila., Pa., 
61; Frank Frech, Hancock Co., O., 76; Thos. George, 
Burgoon, O., 56; Wm. Colb, Laport, Iowa, 64; H. Major, 
Buttsville, N. J,, 76 ; Solomon Neitz, Reading, Pa., 64; E. L. 
Over, Coshocton, O., 43 ; Daniel Ross, Lackawanna Co., 
Pa., 83; Phillip Schwilly, Lima, Ind., 83; H. Shoemaker, 
Elgin, 111., 49; Jacob Smith, Somerset, Pa., 34; F. R. Toth- 
ero, Marshallville, Ind., 62 ; David Tobias, Washington, 111., 
79; Geo. Zellhcefer, Grand Junction, Iowa, 67; J. G. Esher, 
(brother of Bishop Esher), born in Germany i8i6, entered the 
ministry in Illinois, 1848, served as presiding elder, both in the 
Illinois and Wisconsin Conferences. Died in Illinois. 

1886, East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa., Feb. 24. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; C. S. Breyfogel, secretary. Died — 
Geo. Miller and A. C. Major. Licensed to preach — J. D. 
Acker, J. B. Esenwein, G. A. Kne'rr, H. Dutill, T. S. Kresge, 
W. R. Fluck, and J. K. Freed. Granted deacon's orders — H, 
A. Smith, A. H. Snyder and I. U. Royer. Elder's — H. M. 
Wingerd, I. F. Heisler, C. D. Dreher, and J. S. Over- 
HOLTZER. Granted credentials — D. G. Reinhold. S. C. Brey- 



460 EVANGELICAL A880C1A TION ANNALS. 

FOGEL was newly, and C. S. Haman and C. K. Fehr were re- 
elected presiding elders. Father Francis Hoffman was super- 
annuated after 60 years of labor in the work of the Lord ^' un- 
interruptedly." 

Districts : Philadelphia, C. K. Fehr, presiding elder ; Allen- 
town, C. S. Breyfogel ; Reading, J. C. Hornberger ; Lebanon, 
A. M. Stirk ; Pottsville, C. S. Haman ; Millersburg, B. J. 
Smoyer. 

1886. Central Pa. Conference, Millheim Pa., March 4th. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; E. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — E. S. Bollinger, G. Gallagher, F. S. Norman, A. 
Williamson, C. J. Dick, M. S. Thomas, C. D. Moore and J. 
WoMELDORF. Ordained deacons — E. O. Goodling and T. A. 
Shortiss. Elders — J. R. Sechrist, J. H. Welch, J. D. Stover, 
H. S. Bason, S. M. Mountz, H. A. Benfer, J. D. Shortiss 
and A. W. Swengel. Dr. J. C. Hummer, of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, was received. S. T. Buck, W. M. Croman 
and A. W. Maxwell, withdrew. 

Districts : York, M. J. Carothers, presiding elder ; Juniata, 
J. M. Ettinger ; Lewisburg, S. W. Seibert ; Williamsport, W. 
E. Detwiler. 

1886. Pittsburg Conference, East Liberty, O., April 15th. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. W. Domer, secretary. Licensed 
— W. W. Elrick, J. McAllister, P. Devaux, A. J. Beale, J. 
A. Shaffer and J. C. Hadlock. Ordained elders — C. H. 
Miller, A. C. Miller, J. H. Voght, and S. J. Caton. Dea- 
cons — A. B. Day and A. W. Brickley. Died — J. Smith. R. 
D. Dalzell took credentials, also S. B. Kring, who went to 
the Indiana Conference. F. P. Saylor was newly elected pre- 
siding elder. 

Districts : Franklin, F. P. Saylor, presiding elder ; Pittsburg, 
J. D. Domer; Alleghany, J. A. Rohland; Somerset, D. K. Lavan. 

1886. Ohio Conference, Westerville, O., Sept. 16. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; A. C. Stull, secretary. Died — F. Frech. 
O. F. CoLWELL was licensed. Deacons orders were granted — 
P. CocKLiN and E. Spreng. Elders — A. N. McCauly, J. S. 
Fitterer and J. B. Kanaga.' H. J. Bowman took credentials. 
John Stull was newly and E. B. Crouse was re-elected presid- 
ing elder. Father A. Lcehner, the oldest preacher of the con- 
ference, delivered a sermon commemorative of the semi-centen- 
nial of the organization of the conference. 



GONFEBENGE BEGOBDS. 461 

Districts : Columbus, J. Stull, presiding elder ; Cleveland, 
W. H. Bucks ; Tiffin, E. B. Grouse ; Fremont, A. Vandersal. 

1886. Michigan Conference, Reed City, April i. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president; F. Klump, secretary. Died — Benj. Keller. 
Licensed — W. Gamersfelder, L. B. Felix, J. M. Bittner 
and D. Strohl. Ordained elder — F. Walters. Deacons G. 
Johnson, C. Krulger, L. V. Soldan, P. Scheurer, J. A. 
SwENK, A. Bogen, J. C. Dietrich and C. Brown. A. Halm- 
HUBER, of the Germany, P. Alles, of the Canada and F. 
Kraushaar, of the lUnois Conferences, were received. 

Districts : Monroe, S. Copley, presiding elder ; St. Joseph, 
G. A. Hettler ; Flint, C. C. Staffield ; Reed City, E. Weiss. 

1886. Erie Conference, Cleveland, O., March 4. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; R. Mott, secretary. Died — A. Born- 
heimer. Located — W. F. Zander and J. Vogel. Licensed — 
H. Wendt. Ordained elder — C. Wohlgemuth. Deacons — 
C. Neuendorf, H. Fuessner, C. Klaholtz and J. E. Moeller. 

Districts : Cleveland, C. F. Negele, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg j C. L. Witt. 

1886, New York Conference, Batavia, N. Y., March 11. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; J. Reuber, secretary. Died — 
M. Yauch. Ordained elder — J. M. Schlagenhauf. Deacon 
— G. Schloerb. Licensed — A. Stark and A. Holzworth. 

Districts : Albany, C. F. Schoefflein, presiding elder ; Ro- 
chester, A. Holzwarth ; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1886, Canada Conference, Wallace, Ont., April 15, Bishop 
T. Bowman, president; C. F. Braun, secretary. Licensed — 
A. Ggebel, J. G. LiTT, J. H. Grenzenbach, G. F. Braun and 
C. FiNKBiNER. Ordained elder — L. H. Wagoner. Granted 
credentials — P. Alles. M. C. Frey and A. T. Shuttler were 
received. J. Umbach was re-elected paesiding elder. 

Districts : South, J. J. Kliphart, presiding elder ; West, J. 
Umbach ; North, S. L. Umbach ; Ottawa, S. N. Moyer. 

1886. Atlantic Conference, Easton, Pa.. April 29. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; J. F. Grob, secretary. Licensed — H. 
Sturm. Ordained deacons — R. Lau and F. Frank. Died — G. 
Redman. J. A. Roesch, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
was received. 

1886. Indiana Conference, Dayton. O., April i. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; H. Arlen, secretary. Licensed — H. 
E. Meyers, H. Neff and L. Carroll. Ordained deacons — 



462 EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

F, RouscH and G. B. Holdeman. M. Krueger, located. S. 
B. Kring, of the Pittsburg Conference, was received. Granted 
credentials — G. Streicher and D. E. Hoover. 

Districts : Elkhart, C. C. Baumgardner, presiding elder ; 
Ft. Wayne, D. S. Oakes ; Indianapolis, J. Berner. 

1886, South Indiana Conference, Mt. Carmel, 111., March 
II. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; W. G. Br/eckly, sec- 
retary. Ordained elder — E. E. Nitsche, 

Districts : Evansville, J. Kaufman, presiding elder ; Olney, 
F. Schweitzer. 

1886. Wisconsin Conference, Appleton, Wis., April 29. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. L. Runkel, secretary. Li- 
censed — E. Gassman, H. Brockhouse, C. Zcerb, O. Barow- 
askie and F. Zimmerman. Ordained elders — L. M. Siewert 
and G. F. Kiekhoefer. Deacons — H. E. Erffmeyer and H. 
Umbreit. Granted credentials — C. Mueller. 

Districts : Milwaukee, G. Fritsche, presiding elder ; Fon du 
Lac, C. F. Zimmerman ; Madison, J. C. Brendel ; Portage, H. 
Schelp, 

1886. Minnesota Conference, near Courtland, Minn, April 
29. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; H. Ohs, secretary. Li- 
censed — W. J. Vetter, F. Walter, A. Sahr and R. Mueller. 
Died — G. J. Schmidt. Ordained deacons — L. S. Staff, H. A. 
Seder and F. Arut. A. Knabel was received. Granted cre- 
dentials — S. Bean and W. Kaun. A. Strohmeier was re- 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts : St. Paul, H. E. Linse, presiding elder ; Minnesota,, 
A. Strohmeier ; Mankato, H. Bunse. 

1886. Illinois Conference, Freeport, 111., Aprils. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; M. Stamm, German, and W. Caton, Eng- 
lish, secretaries. Died — J, G. Esher, H. Schumaker and D. 
Tobias. Licensed — C. F. Kiest, J. H. Keagel, P. H. Hines, 
D. W. Kerr, J. Merley, S. Hoffman and G. W. Nickolai. 
Ordained elder — J. H. Johnson. Deacons — W. L. Waeker, 
D. F. Fox, J. W. Eager and W. A. Schultz. J. Zipperer, of 
the German Conference, was received. Granted credentials — 
F. Kraushaar. 

Districts : Chicago, F. Busse, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
J. Schneider ; Freeport, Wm. Huelster ; Elgin, D. B. Byers ; 
Mendota, H. Messner ; Peoria, A. Fuessele. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 463 

1886. Des Moines Conference, Columbus Junction, Iowa, 
April I. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; B. H. Niebel, sec- 
retary. Licensed — G. W. McCracken, C. E. Sheldon, L. A. 
Jones, E. C. Wallace and A. L. Smith. Ordained elders — 
A. E. MosHER and B. H. Niebel. Deacons — F. S. Locke, D. 
T. Kahl and L. Staufacher. Granted credentials — J. Hout, 
A. T. WiLKiNS, T. S. Fink, W. J. Conard, T. Fee, D. N. Long , 
and M. C. Fry. 

Districts : Cedar Rapids, E. B. Utt, presiding elder ; Des 
Moines, J. H. Yaggy. 

1886. Iowa Conference, Cedar Falls, Iowa, April 15. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; E. J. Shultz, secretary. Died 
— W. KoLB and G. Zellhofer. Licensed — D. S. Staebler 
N. Ramage and A. L. Bock. Ordained deacons — A. Schmalle, 
A. GoETz, G. Knoche, H. Sessman and J. Below. Granted 
credentials — W. H. Hartman. H. Lageschulte and M. Grue- 
ner were elected presiding ciders. 

Districts : Dubuque, M. Gruener, presiding elder ; Ackley, 
J. Henn ; Des Moines, H. Lageschulte. 

1886. Dakota Conference, Wittenberg, Dakota, May 6. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; F. F. Meyer, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. A. Young and B. F. Snyder. Ordained deacon 
— J. Price and J. F. Buente. Elders — A. Blauchard and A. 
Berreth. a. Knebel resigned the office of presiding elder and 
G. W. Hielscher was elected to the same. Granted credentials 
— A. Knebel. 

Districts : Fargo, A. Huelster, presiding elder ; Yankton, 
G. W. Hielscher. 

1886. Platte River Conference, near Aurora, Neb., March 
II. Bishop R. Dubs, president; E. L. Kiplinger, secretary. 
Ordained deacons — S. B. Dillow and G. M. Andrews. Elders 
— J. H. Haldeman, S. J. Shupp, N. F. Kletzing and J. Rich- 
ards. C. J. Miller, T. J. Fink, J. Haut, of the Des Moines, 
and G. Carothers, of the Central Pa. Conferences, were re- 
ceived. C. W, Anthony, presiding elder. 

1886. Nebraska Conference, Sutton, Neb., March 25. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; A. Fischer, secretary. Or- 
dained deacon — F. Beckman. Elders — L. Neitzel and I, 
Laiply. Licensed — F. Martin and C. Schneider. A. Wich- 
man and G. Streicher. F. Backemeyer was re-elected, and M. 
Inhelder was newly elected presiding elder. 



464 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Districts : Fremont, F. Backemeyer, presiding elder ; Hast- 
ings, M. Inhelder. 

1886. Kansas Conference, Willow Springs, Kan., March 
1 8. — J. J. EsHER, president ; C. Berner, secretary. Located 
— J. G. Pfeifer. Died — C. Ehrhart. Licensed — S. Luring, 
G. J. Schmucker, F. M. Peek, R. Brant, W. Shuerman and A. 
E. Flickinger. Ordained elder — G. E. Dienst. Deacons — A. 
Matill and W. Wolthausen. Granted credentials — A. M. 
Dreisbach. J. Neufer and S. Miller, of the Germany, D. G. 
Reinhold, of the East Pa., and A. U. Platt, of the Pittsburg 
Conferences, were received. 

Districts : Holton, H. Mattill, presiding elder ; Kansas City, 
J. Wuerth; Newton, J. H. Tobias. 

1886. California Conference, Wilmington, Cal., May 14. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; T. Suhr, secretary. Licensed — 
G. Gluntz. Ordained elder — J. M. Sch^efele. Located — P. 
BoTT. J. Croassman and R. Stahle withdrew. A. Heinhaus, 
of the Wisconsin Conference, was received. H. Brauer, pre- 
siding elder. 

1886. Oregon Conference, Salem, Oregon, June 4. Bishop 
R. Dubs, presiding elder ; C. C. Poling, secretary. Licensed 
— H. Pratt and J. M. Beauchamp. A. G. Boyd withdrew. 
J. BowERSOX, presiding elder. 

Notes — In the corresponding secretary's annual report to 
the Missionary Society, we find that the number of home mis- 
sions for this year was 459, supplied by 460 missionaries, 13 
missions were made self-supporting, while 46 new missions were 
constituted, The total membership on these missions was 39,- 
905. The mission Sunday-schools numbered 743, with 8,313 
officers and teachers, and 43,513 scholars. The number con- 
verted was 6,050, and 6,593 accessions. The total missionary 
receipts from all sources were $124,355, an increase of over 1^9,- 
000 over the previous year. The contributions to the mission- 
ary treasury by the Woman^s Missionary Society, was $1,422 
and Children's Day collection, $7,434. 

The Society having established an Emigrant Mission last 
year, in the city of New York, it was supplied in the Spring of 
this year, by the appointment of E. Gl^eser. 

In the Spring of 1885 the Board of Missions appointed H. 
Schuknecht, of the Michigan Conference, as an additional mis- 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 465 

sionary to the Pacific Coast, with Washington Territory as his 
field of labor. He met with good success, and soon established 
societies. Bro. Schuknecht succeeded in erecting the first Evan- 
gelical Church at Sassin, Lincoln County, which was dedicated 
by Rev. J. Bowersox, July 25, 1886. The second was erected 
at Wildrose Prairie, and dedicated some months after the first. 

Biographical — The ministerial death roll of this year, both 
local and active, is as follows : 

Jacob McQuillen, local, Dec. 12, 1885, 60, Mo.; M. Yauch, 
itinerant, Dec. 17, 1885, 40, N. Y.; Geo. J. Miller, local, 
Sept. 7, 1885, 83, Pa.; Mich. F. Maize, local, Feb. 11, 1886, 
72, Pa.; C. L. Wolf, local, Feb. i, 1886, 35, P.; Mich. Else, 
superannuated, March 12, 1886, 70, N. Y. ; Adam R. Shafer, 
itinerant, April 15, 1886, 54, Ind.; Benj. Keller, local, March 
23, 1886, 67, Ohio ; G. J. Schmidt, (killed by a cyclone while 
holding service), itinerant, April 14, 1886, 30, Minn.; B. F. 
Anthony, itinerant. May 23, 1886, 42, Pa.; Brumm, 69, Mich.; 
Geo. Phillips, local, March 18, 1886, ^6, Pa.; J. Schnell- 
bacher, local. May 16, 1886, 65, Iowa ; M. Alsbach, local, 
Aug. 21, 1886, 73, Minn.; A. K. F. Winter, itinerant, Aug. 
29, 25, 1886, Mich.; A. FoRRY, itinerant, Aug. 22, 1886, 80, 
111.; D. Woodmansee, local, Aug. 26, 1886, 70, Fla. ; John 
Kreamer, itinerant, Aug. 14, 1886, 69, Kan.; G. Klepfer, 
local, Sept. 21, 1886, 74, Ind.; Daniel Eckert, local, Nov. 4, 
1886, 77, Ohio ; Q. E. Knerr, itinerant, Nov. 12, 1886, 47, Pa. 

1887, East Pa. Conference, Bangor, Pa., Feb. 23. Bishop 
J. J. Esher, president ; W. A. Leopold, secretary. Died — 
I. E. Knerr, itinerant, and D. Clouser. local. Ordained 
elders — F. D. Geary, C. J. Warmkessel, J. Stermer, Wm. 
Shuler, a. B. Baylor, A. S. Kline, and Hirakawa Toyotsura, 
of Japan. Granted credentials — W. M. Harris and D. J. 
Ebert. Licensed — J. C. Malseed, G. McCloud and D. T. 
Kostbnbader. Father F. Krecker was superannuated after a 
half century of active service. 

Districts: Philadelphia, C. K. Fehr, presiding elder ; Allen- 
town; S. C. Breyfogel ; Reading, J. C. Hornberger ; Lebanon, 
A. M. Stirk ; Pottsville, C. S. Haman ; Millersburg, B. J. 
Smoyer. 

1887. Central Pa. Conference, Baltimore, Md., March 3. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president, E. Swengel, secretary. Li- 
censed — Chas. F. Garrett, H. B. Barshinger, G. L. Mace, 



466 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

J. D. LiESTER, H. H. Trumpfheller and D. M. Metzgar. 
Ordained deacon — W. L. Beaumont, C. L. Sones, C. V. B. 
AuRAND, E. S. Bollinger, C. D. Moore, M. I. Jamison, E. M. 
Beaver and Jazo Takano, of Japan. Elders — L. E. Crumb- 
ling, J. B. Fox, and J. L. Miller. H. W. Buck and I. M. 
Pines were newly, and M. J. Carothers was re-elected pre- 
siding elder. Granted credentials — D. P. Kline for the Platte 
River Conference. 

Districts : York, J. M. Ettinger, presiding elder ; Carlisle, 
S. W. Seibert ; Centre, J. M. Pines ; Lewisburg, M. J. Caroth- 
ers ; Williamsport, H. W. Buck. 

1887. Erie Conference, Erie Pa., March 3. Bishop J. J. 
EsHER, president ; R. Mott, secretary. Licensed — Ralph S. 
Dubs and Bunjiro Inouye, of Japan. Ordained deacon — T. 

C. Meckel. Elders — E. Koehne, W. Weigand and H. Hueb- 
NER. D. Heininger was received. 

Districts : Cleveland, C. F. Negele, presiding elder ; Pitts- 
burg, C. L. Witt. 

1887. New York Conference, Lyons, N. Y., March 10. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; J. Reuber, secretary. Died — 
Mich. Eis. Licensed — F. J. Holzwarth. Ordained deacons 
H. R. HousT and A. A. Holzwarth. Granted credentials — J. 

M. SCHLAGENHAUF. 

Districts : Albany, C. F. Shoepflein, presiding elder ; Roch- 
ester, A. Holzworth ; Buffalo, M. Pfitzinger. 

1887. Canada Conference, Hamilton, Ont., April 14. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; C. F. Brown, secretary. Died 
— J. Goetz. Ordained elder — S. R. Knechtel. Deacons — H. 

D. Mover, G. F. Braun, J. H. Grenzenbach and J. Devitt. 
Licensed — W. J. Yeager and A. Y. Haist. J. J. Klibhart, 
presiding elder, resigned and took credentials. 

Districts : South, S. L. Umbach, presiding elder ; West, 
Jos. Umbach ; North, S. N. Moycr. 

1887. Atlantic Conference, New York City, April 28. 
Bishop — J. J. Esher, president ; J. Yeakel, secretary. Died 
— G. Redman. Licensed — O. Panton. Ordained elder — F. 
Egger. Deacon — J. Fenner. 

H. GuELiCH, presiding elder of the conference district. 

1887. Pittsburg Conference, Zion Church, Venango Cir- 
cuit, Pa., April 7. Bishop J. J. Esher, president; J. W. Do- 
MER, secretary. Licensed — J. M. Weaver, G. M. Alshouse, R. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 467 

B. Perr and Dr. J. C. Bowman. Ordained deacons^C. F. 
Floto, J. Smith, W. H. Cramer, J. C. Leabhart, J. H. Shimp 
and C. D. Slagel. Elders — F. M. Brickley, F. D. Ellen- 
beger, M. V. DeVaux, G. W. Finnecy and G. J. Coleman. 
Died — G. S. Domer. Granted credentials — D. F. Platt and 
J. H. VoGHT. F. J. Strayer was received. 

Districts: Franklin, F. P. Saylor, presiding elder j Pittsburg, 
J. D. Domer ; Allegheny, I. A. Rohland ; Somerset, D. K. 
Levan. 

1887. Ohio Conference, Cleveland, O., Oct. 13. Bishop 
T. Bowman, president ; A. C. Stull, secretary. Died — Conrad 
Kring, Daniel Wonder and D. Eckert. Licensed — J. M. 
Turner, D. M. Yeagley, E. Behner and J, Atkinson. Or- 
dained elders — J. H. Bazer, A. S. Copley and I. M. Houser. 
Deacons — A. C. Corfman, W. H. Munk, J. H. Ablett, E. 
Loose and S. Fry. Granted Credentials — G. H. Schneider. 
H. B. Hartzler and S. L. Wiest. A. J. Gramley was re 
ceived. A. Vandersall was elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Cleveland, W. H. Bucks, presiding elder ; Colum- 
bus, J. Stull ; Tiffin, E. B. Grouse ; Fremont, A. Vandersall. 

1887. Michigan Conference, Park, Mich., March 24. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president; F. Klump, secretary. Licensed 
— E. Alles, a. Ostroth, H. Geringer, C. Weber, E. Roth, 
F. KoEHLER and J. D. Baker. Ordained deacons — F. E. 
Berger, N. Frye, J. J. Marshall, M. W. Snyder and C. Vin- 
cent. Elder — F. Craushaar. Died — A. Winter and P. 
Brown. Granted credentials — J. H. Keeler and E. B. Miller. 
S. Copley was re-cleated presiding elder. 

Districts : Monroe, S. Copley, presiding elder ; Flint, C. 

C. Staffield ; Reed City, E. Weiss ; St. Joseph, G. A. Hettler. 
1887» South Indiana Conference, Huntingburg, Ind., 

March 7. Bishop T. Bowman, president \ G. M. Hallwachs, 
secretary. Ordained deacon — F. Dauner. Died — J. Mode. 
J. Kaufman was re-elected presiding elder. Granted credentials 
— M. Koehl. 

Districts : Evansville, F. Schweitzer, presiding elder ; Olney, 
J. Kaufman. 

1887. Indiana Conference, Rochester, Ind., March 31. 
Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; H. Arlen, secretary. Li- 
censed — C. M. Pierce, M. L. Schidler, D. D. Spangler, F. 
L. Snyder, B. J. Fahnel, S. H. Baumgardner, A. S. Fisher, 



468 EYANQELIGAL A880GIA TION ANNALS. 

G. Steininger, M. S. Metzler and B. Webb. Ordained dea- 
con — D. D. Speicher. Elder — L. S. Fisher, J. E. Stoops, 
R. Rainy. W. H. Brightmire and C. F. Hansing. Died — A. 
ScHiEFER and O. Kloepfer. 

Districts : Elkhart, D. S. Oakes, presiding elder ; Ft. Wayne, 
A. Geist ; Indianapolis, J. Berger. 

1887. Illinois Conference, Peoria, 111., April 14. Bishop J. 
J. EsHER, president ; Geo. Vetter, German, and W. Caton, Eng- 
lish secretaries. Died — A. Forry. Licensed — P. Ilgen, W. For- 
KEL, J. BuNTE, F. W. Landwehr, R. Pfluege, H. Pieper, a. 
Good, A. Mertz, C. S. Lang, J. A. Schweitzer, F. Neitz, H. 
L. Bechtol, G. Schwartz, J. W. Michael, E. W. Huelster 
and H. A. Kramer. Ordained elders — O. Brose, S. F. Entorf, 
F. Schwartz, I. Divan and G. W. Ballanger. Deacons — G. 
Barth, C. Vaubel, H. H. Thoren, H. Moser and J. Divan. 

Districts : Chicago, F. Busse, presiding elder ; Naperville, 
J. Schneider ; Elgin, D. B. Byers ; Freeport, Wm. Huelster ; 
Mendota, H. Messner ; Peoria, A. Fuessele. 

1887. Des Moines Conference, Belle Plaine, la., April 7. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; B. H. Niebel, secretary. Died — 
J. Suellbacher and H. Wissler. Licensed — J. W. McCurdy, 
J. Pritchard and W. Force. Ordained elders — W. Piper, C. 
Knoll, T. M. Evans and G. W. Mullen. Deacons — N. Day, 
N. B. Niebel and S. Smith. Credentials — A. E. Mosher. 

Districts: Cedar Rapids, E. B. Utt, presiding elder; Des 
Moines, J. H. Yaggy. 

1887. Iowa Conference, Waterloo, la., April 14. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president ; J. F. Berner, secretary. Licensed — L. 
Belzer, J. Staebler, J. DeWall, A. L. Hauser and F. Bentz. 
Ordained elders — S. L. Staebler, W. J. Schmalle and L. F. 
Smith. Credentials — H. Hiebenthal. 

Districts : Dubuque, M. Gruener, presiding elder ; Ackley, 
J. Henn ; Des Moines, H. Lageschulte. 

1887. Wisconsin Conference, Racine, Wis., April 23. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; J. L. Runkel, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. Hoffman, H. Goetz, S. Erffmeyer. Ordained 
elders — F. Krueger, G. Reichert, T. Shauer and W. M. 
Schuerman. Deacons — C. W. Wellsow, C. Punzel F. A. 
MuNDT, A. LuTZ, J. Trautman and C. W. Schleuter. J. C. 
Brendel and C. F. Zimmerman were newly, and M. Witten- 
wyler and C. Weigand were re-elected presiding elders. 



OONFBBENCE RECORDS. 469 

Districts : Milwaukee, C. F. Zimmerman, presiding elder; 
Fond du Lac, J. C. Brendel ; Madison, M. Wittenwyler ; Port- 
age, C. Wiegand. 

1887. Minnesota Conference, Minneapolis Minn., April 
28. Bishop R. Dubs, president; H. Ohs, secretary. Li- 
censed — W. YuEDES, C. W. WoLTHAUSEN, S. B. GoETZ and 
J. B. Bauerfeind. Ordained elders — G. Siebold. Deacons — 
A. IwAN, J. Erich, C. F. Kachel, O. Schultz and Masetada 
ScHiMiDzu, of Japan. Credentials — J. Erich. Augustus 
Huelster, of the Dakota Conference, was received. H. E. 
Linse was re-elected presiding elder. 

Districts : St. Paul, A. Strohmeier, presiding elder ; Minne- 
apolis, H. E. Linse, Mankato, H. Bunse. 

1887, Dakota Conference, Milbank, Dak., May 5. Bish- 
op R. Dubs, president ; F. F. Meyer, secretary. Licensed — 
H. Lewis and G. Liening. Ordained elders — W. Luckow, A. 
Oertli, R. W. Teichman and H. Loewen. C. Oertli was 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Aberdeen, G. W. Hielscher, presiding elder ; 
Fargo, C. Oertli. 

1887. Kansas Conference, Jewell City, Kan., March 17. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; C. Berner, secretary. Died — 
John Kramer,* W. Elmer and M. Albach. Licensed — O. 
Roerich, H. Holsknabe, C. H. Hartman and M. Manshart. 
Deacons — E. Brown C. W. Stauffer, A. Ernst, F. Schue- 
man, M. C. Platz, J. K. Young, M. Walder and J. K. Elmer. 
Ordained Elders — L. E. Becher and T. R. Naninga. H. J. 
Bowman and M. W. Harris were received. J. Wuerth was 
elected presiding elder. 

Districts : Holton, H. Mattill, presiding elder ; Kansas 
City, J. Wuerth ; Newton, J. H. Tobias. 

1887. Nebraska Conference, Swanton, Neb., March 24. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; A. Fischer, secretary. Licensed — 

E. Marks, J. G. Schwab, F. Doescher and C. Fuehrer. 
Deacons — G. Streicher. Ordained elders — H. Wegner and 

F. L. WiEGERT. Credentials — H. Althouse. 

Districts : Hastings, M. Inhelder, presiding elder ; Fremont, 
F. Backemeyer. 

* Formerly of the Central Pa. Conference. 



470 EVANGELICAL A880G1A TION ANNALS. 

1887. Platte River Conference, Dawson, Neb., March ii. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; F. W. Serf, secretary. Li- 
censed — J. P. Ash and S. B. Anderson. Deacons — R. H. Mil- 
RER, J. W. Nye, L. L. Brooker, W. L. Dillow and G. M. An- 
drews. D. P. Kline was received. Died — Daniel Wonder. * 
C. W. Anthony, presiding elder of the conference district. 

1887. Oregon Conference, Pleasant Dale, Ore., May 28. 
J. BowERSOx, president; C. C. Poling, secretary. Ordained 
elder — A. R. Johnson. Credentials— J. A. Hollenbach, for 
the Central Pa., and F. J. Strayer, for the Pittsburg Confer- 
ence. J. M. Dick, of the Central Pa. ; L. S. Fisher, of the In- 
diana, and C. J, Miller, of the Platte River Conferences, were 
received. Also M. H. Jackson, J. H. Baumerman and P. Des- 
GRANGES, of the U. B. Church. 

J. Bowersox, presiding elder of the conference district. 

1887. California Conference, Santa Ana, CaL, May 13. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; T. Suhr, secretary. Deacon — 
J. M. Price. F. A Frase, of the Iowa, and A. Althouse, of 
the Nebraska Conferences, were received. J. Croasman with- 
drew. 

H. Brauer, presiding elder of the conference district. 
Note — The number of missions reported at the annual meet- 
ing of the Parent Missionary Society was 542, an increase of 
115 during the quadrennium. The number of missionaries was 
552 ; total membership of missions 46,531, an increase of 10,- 
764 during the past four years. These missions now sustained 
1,057 Sunday-schools, with 9,904 officers and teachers and 
63>733 scholars ; 6,609 souls were converted, and 8,770 united 
with the church. The sum of $127,927 was contributed to 
the cause, of which the Woman's Missionary Society contri- 
buted $1,824. 

* He was converted under Albright and co-laborers. See Biog. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Nineteenth General Conference, Held at Buffalo, N. Y., 
September i, 1887. 

1887. General Conference, Nineteenth Session, Buffalo, 
N. Y., September i. The presiding officers were : Bishops J. J. 
Esher, R. Dubs and T. Bowman, secretary, W. Horn; as- 
sistant secretaries, S. P. Spreng, C. F. Negle, J. C. Brendel 
and S. L. Umbach. Rev. J. H. Becker, fraternal delegate 
from the General Conference of the United Brethren Church, 
delivered a fraternal address, which was suitably recognized by 
the conference. H. Bucks and Joseph Harlacher, two of the 
oldest ministers of the church, sent fraternal letters to the 
conference. The Committee on Memorials reported on the 
death of Solomon Neitz, I. E. Knerr, G. S. Domer, S. 
DiCKOVER and Charles Hammer. 

Authority was given for the formation of the Texas Con- 
ference. 

Rev. C. S. Breyfogel was elected as fraternal delegate to 
the next session of the General Conference of the United Breth- 
ren Church. 

The Missionary Messenger, a monthly periodical hitherto 
published by the Woman's Missionary Society, was taken under 
the auspices of the church. The indebtedness of the mission- 
ary society was reported to be over ^40,000. 

The election of general officers resulted as follows : Bishops, 
J. J. Esher, T. Bowman and R. Dubs ; publishers, M. Lauer 
and H. Mattill ; editor of the Christliche Botschafter, W. 
Horn ; editor of The Evangelical Messenger, S. P. Spreng ; 
editor of Evangelical Magazine and German Sunday-school lit- 
erature, C. A. Thomas ; editor of Living Epistle and English 
Sunday-school literature, J. C. Hornberger ; editor of publi- 

471 



472 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

cations in Germany, G. Fuessele ; publisher in Germany, J. 
Waltz ; corresponding secretary of the Missionary Society, 
Samuel Heininger ; general statistical secretary and treasurer 
of the Missionary Society, W. Yost j superintendent of Eben- 
ezer Orphan Home, C. K. Feh^. 

Charges of ''unchristian conduct, official misconduct, and 
grievous official offenses as a minister, and as editor in our 
church," were brought against Rev. H. B. Hartzler, editor of 
the Evangelical Messenger. The plantiffs were M. Pfitzinger, 
G. Vetter and E. B. Esher. The trial began on the seventh day 
of the conference and continued with but little interruption until 
the eighteenth day, when a verdict of ** guilty "was reached. 
The committee appointed to formulate a verdict reported the 
following, which was accepted: 

'* Whereas, The specification under the charges against Rev. 
H. B. Hartzler have been sustained by the General Confer- 
ence, and in view that this involves the severest penalty in the 
jurisdiction of our church for such offense, but the General 
Conference prefers to pronounce the mildest sentence, be it 

Resolved, That Rev. H. B. Hartzler be deposed from the 
office as editor of the Evangelical Messenger, ^^ 

Delegates : East Pa. Conference — A. M. Stirk, B. J. Smoyer, 

C. S. Haman, S. S. Chubb, S. C. Breyfogel, D. A. Medlar, 

J. C. HORNBERGER, R. M. LiCHTENWALNER, J. K. SeYFRIT. 

Central Pa. Conference — M. J. Carothers, I. M. Pines, J. M. 
Ettinger, S. W. Seibert, U. F. Swengel, E. Kohr, H. W. 
Buck, W. E. Detweiler. Pittsburg Conference — J. D. Domer, 
F. P. Saylor, W. M. Stanford, J. A. Rohland, D. K. Lavan, 
T. Bach, H. B. Summers,* L. M. Boyer.* Illinois Confer- 
ence — A. Fuessele, F. Busse, J. Schneider, W. Huelster, 

D. B. Byers, W. Caton, C. A. Paeth, C. Lindeman, H. Mess- 
ner. Ohio Conference — A. Vandersall, W. H. Bucks, E. B. 
Grouse, S. P. Spreng, J. Stull, D. Strohman, W. Yost,* J. 
A. Hensel.* Michigan Conference — G. A. Hettler, S. Cop- 
ley, E. Weiss, J. Meck, J. M. Haug, C. C. Staffield. Wis- 
consin Conference — J. C. Brendel, C. F. Zimmerman, M. Wit- 
tenwyler, C. Wiegand, a. Tarnutzer, J. L. Runkel. Des 
Moines Conference — E. B. Utt, A. Buzzard, B. H. Niebel, 

Note. The California Conference sent no delegate. 
* Alternates. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 473 

E. F. Mell. Indiana Conference — M. Gruener, J. Henn, H. 
Lageschuelte, J. F. Bermer. Canada Conference, S. L. Um- 
BACH, J. Umbach, S. N. Mover, M. L. Wing. Minnesota Con- 
ference — H. E. LiNSE, A. Sthohmeier, H. Bunse, W. Oehler. 
Erie Conference — R. Yeakel, C. F. Negele, C. L. Witt, J. 
D. Seip. Kansas Conference — J. Wuerth, C. Berner, H. 
Mattill, J. F. Schreiber, J. H. Tobias. New York Confer- 
ence — M. Pfitzinger, a. Holzwarth, C. F. Schoepflein, M. 
Lehn.* Platte River Conference — C. W. Anthony, E. L. Kip- 
linger, B. C. Oyler. Nebraska Conference — M. Inhelder, 

F. Beckemeyer. South Indiana Conference — J. Kaufman, E. 
R. Troyer. Atlantic Conference — H. Guelich, F. Kurtz. 
Dakota Conference — G. W. Heilscher, C. Oertli. Oregon 
Conference — ^J. Bowersox. Germany Conference — J. Waltz, 
J. G. Wolpert. Swiss Conference — G. Gahr. Ex Officio 
Delegates — M. Lauer, W. Horn, H. B. Hartzler, C. A. 
Thomas, S. Heinincer, P. W. Raidabaugh. 



CHAPTER XX. 



Establishment of the Evangelical Association in Europe — 

Being an Account of Work in Prussia, Wurtemberg, 

Alsace, Saxony, Baden, Switzerland, Etc. 

The year 1850 marked the semi-centennial of the existence of 
the Evangelical Association. The entire church was alive with 
a missionary and educational spirit. The duty and opportunity 
of the church in relation to these things was freely discussed in 
the periodicals by the best writers of the Association, and it is 
no presumption to say that our foreign missions and first lit- 
erary institutions owe their existence to the intense enthusiasm 
of that year. 

GERMANY MISSION. 

In the establishment of this work, the East Pa. Conference 
took the initiative at its session in February, 1850. A commit- 
tee was appointed to prepare resolutions concerning the pro- 
posed mission. After a reference to the gracious providence of 
God in bringing us to the middle of the first century af our ex- 
istence, our duty in relation to the missionary cause, and espe- 
cially towards the Fatherland, the report continues : 

^^ Resolved J That we recommend to conference the following : 
First, That in case the necessary support be forthcoming, and 
suitable men be found, we as a conference favor the establish- 
ment of a mission in Germany. Second, That we request our 
sister conferences to co-operate with us in carrying out this un- 
dertaking in the fellowing manner : (a) that each of the annual 
conferences choose one man, and these men chosen by the dif- 
ferent conferences, together with the bishops, shall constitute a 
board which shall make all necessary arrangements, for the es- 
tablishment of the mission, in case it be found practicable. 

474 



CONFERENCE RECORDS, 475 

(b) that as soon as the bishops consider the carrying out of the 
project feasible, subscriptions shall be opened in our church 
periodicals, and money received for said object, (c) that each 
preacher in charge, is hereby authorized to receive money for 
this purpose, and forward the same to the treasurer of the 
Parent Missionary Society." 

All the annual conferences passed concurrent resolutions 
at their following sessions, and a provisional board was con- 
stituted in accordance with the resolution of the East Pa. 
Conference, as follows : East Pa. Conference, J. P. Leib ; 
West Pa. Conference, W. W. Orwig ; Ohio Conference, J. G. 
ZiNZER ; Illinois Conference, Samuel Baumgardner ; New 
York Conference, W. Mentz. 

In due time all the arrangements were completed, and the 
first missionary, Rev. J. C. Link, of the West Pa. Conference, 
set sail for the Fatherland, Nov. 20, 1850. He was successful 
from the first, although he met with bitter opposition from the 
ministers of the State Church. He made his headquarters at 
Stuttgart, the capital of Wuertemburg. From this place he 
made excursions into various places, meeting with uniform suc- 
cess. In October of the following year, he reported having or- 
ganized a society of 130 persons in Stuttgart. The General 
Conference of 185 1, approved of the action of the Board of 
Missions, and appointed Rev. John Nicolai, of the Ohio Con- 
ference, as an additional missionary, with instructions to labor 
in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. In November, 185 1, 
Nicolai arrived on his appointed field and created a great stir 
by the preaching of Evangelical religion. The interest was so 
great as to alarm the formal clergymen, and through their insti- 
gation Nicolai was forbidden to preach by the government, and 
after visiting Ulm, where he was also forbidden, he joined Link 
at Stuttgart, where they labored with great success. Oct. 18, 
1852, the loving, faithful wife of Link died. Nicolai's health 
failed, and he was compelled to discontinue his work for the time 
being. The General Conference of 1855 made provision for his 
recall, and the appointment of another in his stead, in case of 
his continued ill health. The following year Nicolai was re- 
lieved, and Rev. J. G. Wollpert, of the Ohio Conference, was 
appointed in his place, who departed for Germany soon after 
his appointment, while Nicolai returned. 

In September, 1858, the Board of Missions appropriated 



476 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

^3,000, for the erection of churches in Germany. Wollpert hav- 
ing met with great success in Plochigen, the first church of our 
work in Germany, was erected there, and dedicated July 31, 
1859. Churches were erected soon thereafter at other places. 
In the spring of 1858, at the request of the Board of Mis- 
sions, Link returned to America, and preached and collected 
in the interests of the work in Germany, and awakened a great 
interest in the cause. 

The General Conference of 1859, resolved that a mission be 
established in Switzerland, and the Board of Missions, the fol- 
lowing year appointed J. C. Link to the work. After making a 
visit to that country, Link concluded not to enter upon the 
work at that time. In the spring of 1861, J. P. Schnatz, of the 
Ohio Conference, was appointed to relieve Link, who was then 
laboring in Stuttgart. 

In 1863, the Board made arrangements with Rev. S. Neitz, 
of the East Pa. Conference, to make a tour of inspection to our 
work. As is well known, Neitz was a very eloquent man, and 
his sermons created a great stir wherever he went. He visited 
all the appointments, and contributed greatly by his preaching 
and counsel to the better establishment of the mission. 

In 1863, the work included seven missionaries, with sixty- 
four preaching places. The General Conference of 1863, took 
steps to strengthen the work by electing J. G. Wollpert, pre- 
siding elder, for the European missions, and also ordered the 
publication of a paper in Germany, to be called Der Evangel- 
iche Botschafter, the presiding elder to be the publisher, and P. 
Paulus, editor. Steps were also taken to found a Missionary 
Institute, which later on became an important adjunct to the 
mission. Provision was made for the organization of the work 
into an annual conference. 

In Dec, 1864, Bishop J. J. Esher started for Europe on 
an episcopal visit. He was accompanied by Rev. John Walz, 
of the Ohio Conference, who was appointed as an additional 
missionary. Bishop Esher remained five months, visiting all 
the appointments of our European mission and organized the 
conference. 

1865. The Germany Conference was organized Feb. 
24, 1865, at Stuttgart. Bishop J. J. Esher, president, and J. P. 
Schnatz, secretary. There were present the following min- 
isters : J. G. Wollpert, J. P. Schnatz and J. Walz, from 



CONFERENGB RECORDS. 477 

America. G. Fuessele, M. Erdle and L. Eisenhart, of 
Germany, who had labored with us some years, also three 
applicants : B. Beck, A. H, Beck and F. Stuber. A mission- 
ary society, auxiliary to the parent society, was organized. In 
March Bishop Esher, accompanied by G. Fuessele, who was 
appointed to that country, arrived in Switzerland and began 
operations there. 

In 1865 J. Kaechle, of the New York, and G. Vetter, 
of the Illinois Conference, were sent by the board. The for- 
mer went to Switzerland, and the latter, to Ulm, Germany. 

1866. Germany Conference, Sept. 4, 1866, J. G. Woll- 
PERT, president. J. Schmidli, F. Bauer and J. P. Luippold 
were licensed. Itinerants, 11 ; local, 3 ; preaching places, 123 ; 
Members, 3,015. J. Kaechle, B. Beck and J. Schmidli were 
appointed to Switzerland, where great success attended their 
labors. Five hundred and ninety-one members were added to 
the church in Switzerland this year. In Germany the brethren 
were also very successful. 

1867. There was no annual conference held this year, for 
the reason that a change in the time was desirable, and also, 
that by the postponement a bishop could be present to preside. 

1868. Bishop Esher paid his second visit to Europe and 
held the Germany Conference in Reutlingen, June 11. The 
work in Switzerland was made a presiding elder district, with 
J. Kaechele as presiding elder. Strasburg, in Alsace, was 
taken up as a mission by J. P. Schnatz. The total number 
of itinerants was 18. Membership, 3,701. 

1869. Conference met in Thun, Switzerland, June 19. 
J. G. Wollpert, president. The itinerants numbered 25. 

1870. Bishop Esher again visited Germany and held 
the conference June 16. In his report the bishop says : 
*'Our work has made good progress in the last few years in 
Europe, but in Switzerland our progress is simply astonishing." 

1871. Conference was held in Strasburg June 15, J. 
Kaechele, president. Five brethren were ordained as dea- 
cons. The work was very prosperous. Switzerland reported 
1,500 members and 11 preachers. There were 28 itinerants 
this year, serving 350 preaching places. 

1872. Conference met June 20, in Reutlingen, J. 
Kaechele, president. J. Walz was newly and J. Kaeohele 



478 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

was re-elected presiding elder. Itinerants, 29 ; total member- 
ship, 3,855. 

1873. Conference met in Thun, Switzerland, Bishop 
EsHER, presiding. Members, 4,738; Sunday-schools, 94; 
Scholars, 5,340. The latter part of this year J. Berger, of 
the Indiana Conference, was appointed as the first mission- 
ary to Prussia. He entered upon his work in the beginning 
of the following year. 

1874. Conference met in Zofingen, Switzerland, June 18, 
J. Kaechele, president. Great success was reported every- 
where. H. GuELiCH, of the Wisconsin Conference, was sent as 
an additional missionary to Prussia. Itinerants, 36; members, 

5.445- 

1875. Conference met in Kircheim, Wurt, June 17, J. J. 
EsHER, president. Prussia received five missionaries. Itiner- 
ants, 44. The General conference of this year took charge of 
the publishing interests in Germany, electing J. Waltz, book 
agent ; J. Kaechele, editor of jSv, Bostchaftevy and G. Fues- 
SELE, editor oiKinderfreund. General Conference also approved 
of the establishment of an institution of learning at Reutlingen. 

1876. Conference met in Stuttgart, Wurt, June 15, J. 
Kaechele, president; 1,155 new members were received. 
Total membership, 6,801 ; itinerants, 42 ; locals, 9 ; church 
edifices (mostly connected with parsonages), 22. 

The European work was re-districted as follows : I. Switzer- 
land, H. Guelich ; II. Reutlingen, J. Kaechele; III. Stuttgart, 
J. Waltz ; IV. North Germany, J. Berger. Itinerants, 48 ; 
members, 6^801. The first Evangelical Church in Prussia, was 
built this year, at Muehlheim. The proposed institution of learn- 
ing was established this year, in Reutlingenj J. Kaechele and L. 
Eisenhart, were the instructors. 

1877. Conference was held in Basle, Switzerland, Bishop 
R. Dubs, presiding. Eleven young men were licensed, and 
great revivals were reported. Bishop Dubs made a thorough 
inspection of the work, preaching to great and enthusiastic con- 
gregations in court houses, halls, theaters, state churches and 
in the open air. His work in Europe was highly commended by 
the Board of Missions, upon his return. 

1878. Conference met in Esslingen, Wurtemberg, June 
20, J. Kaechele, president. The membership was 7,240; Sun- 
day-schools, 213; scholars, 11,634; churches, 29. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 479 

Publishing House. — A Publishing House was established in 
Stuttgart. The American Board advanced ^10,000 as a loan 
for its establishment. This sum the General Conference do- 
nated to the German work in 1879. Prior to this, the printing 
in Germany was done in Nuertingen by Mr. Raiger. H. Hintze, 
of the Illinois Conference, was sent this year as an additional 
missionary to North Germany. 

1879. Conference met in Bern, Switzerland, June 3. Bishop 
R. Yeakel presided. G. Heinmiller, of the Iowa Conference, 
was received as an additional missionary and stationed in Dres- 
den. H. Hintze was elected presiding elder and placed on the 
North German District. 

Switzerland Conference, which also included the appoint- 
ments in Alsace, was formed at this session. 

It embraced two presiding elder districts : Bern, H. Guelich, 
presiding elder ; Oberland, G. Gaehr, presiding elder. 

1880. Germany Conference, Stuttgart, June 17. Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president. A new district, called Ulm District, was 
formed. G. Fuessele, presiding elder. 

Swiss Conference, Zofingen, June 3. Bishop J. J. Esher, 
president. Basle District was formed. 

1881. Germany Conference, Reutlingen, Wurtemberg, July 
6. Bishop T. Bowman, president. Itinerants, 41 ; locals, 10; 
churches, 19 ; members, 4,356. 

Districts : J. Kaechele, presiding elder ; Reutlingen, J. Waltz; 
Ulm, G. Fuessele ; North Germany, H. Hintze, 

1881. Swiss Conference, Basle, July 14. Bishop Bowman, 
presiding. Itinerants, 21 ; locals, 3 ; members, 3,505. 

Districts : Basle, H. Guelich, presiding elder ; Bern, G. 
Gaehr, presiding elder. 

1882. Germany Conference, Durlach, Baden, June i. 
Bishop Dubs, president. J, Knapp was newly elected presiding 
elder and stationed on North Germany District. Itinerants, 
^^ ; locals, 9 ; churches, 20 ; members, 4,477. 

1882. Swiss Conference, Thun, June 8. Bishop Dubs, 
president. H. Hintze was elected presiding elder and stationed 
on Bern District. Itinerants, 19 ; locals, 5 ; churches, 18 ; mem- 
bers, 3,470; Sunday-schools, no, scholars, 6,982. 

1883. Germany Conference, Muehlheim, a. d, Ruhr, Prus- 
sia, June 7. Bishop Esher, president. Itinerants, 35 ; locals. 



480 EVANQELIGAL AdaOGlATION ANNALS. 

II ; churches, 21 ; members, 4,715.; Sunday-schools, 156 ; schol- 
ars, 10,000. 

1883. Swiss Conference, Strasburg, in Alsace, June 14. 
Bishop EsHER, president. G. Gaehr was re-elected presiding 
elder. Itinerants, 21 ; locals, 6; churches, 19; members, 3,632. 

1884. Germany Conference, Stuttgart, June 5. J. Waltz, 
president. J. Waltz, G. Fuessele and J. Kaechele were re- 
elected presiding elders. Itinerants, 40; locals, 10; churches, 
21; members, 4,766; Sunday-schools, 142; scholars, over 10,000. 

1884. Swiss Conference, Bern, June 12. H. Hintze presi- 
dent. Itinerants, 21 ; locals, 8 ; churches, 20 ; members, 3,723; 
Sunday-schools, 119 ; scholars, 8,100. 

1885. Germany Conference, June 4, at Kirchheim, Bishop 
J. J. EsHER, president. J. Kaechele, principal of the semi- 
nary, resigned because of ill health, and G. Heinmiller, took 
his place. North Germany District was divided. B. Beck, 
and J. G. Wollpert were elected presiding elders. Itinerants, 
45; locals, 10; members, 4,794; churches, 21. 

Districts : Stuttgart, G. Fuessele ; Esslingen, J. Waltz ; 
Reutlingen, J. G. Wollpert ; Eisnach, B. Beck ; Muehlheim, J. 
Knapp. 

1885. Swiss Conference, Basle, June 11. Bishop Esher, 
presided. Itinerants, 24 ; locals, 5 ; churches 20 ; members. 

Districts : H. Hintze, presiding elder ; Alsace, G. Gaehr. 

1886. Germany Conference, Essen, Prussia, May 27. 

1886. Swiss Conference, Zofingen, Switzerland, June 17. 
Bishop Thomas Bowman, presided. The total membership in 
Europe, was 9,006. The Ev, Boischafter, reported the remark- 
able circulation of 14,000. 

1887. Germany Conference, Reutlingen, June 9. Bishop 
R. Dubs, president. Itinerants, 37 ; locals, 20; churches, 26; 
members, 5,300; Sunday-schools, 181; officers and scholars, 
11,087. 

Districts : Stuttgart, G. Fuessele ; Reutlingen, J. G. Woll- 
pert ; Muehlheim, J. Knapp ; Eisnach, B. Beck. 

1887. Swiss Conference, Thun, June 17. Bishop R. 
Dubs, president. Alsace District was discontinued. Itinerants, 
23 ; locals, 8 ; churches, 20 ; Sunday-schools, 137 ; officers and 
scholars, 8,980. H. Hintze, presiding elder of conference 
district. 



GONFBBBNCE RECORDS. 481 

JAPAN MISSION. 

Our work among the heathen in a measure owes its origin to 
the great missionary enthusiasm awakened in 1850, by the semi- 
centennial celebration of the establishment of the Evangelical 
Association. This year a number of communications appeared 
in the church periodicals on the subject of establishing a work 
among the heathen. Propositions were made by laymen to start 
a fund for that purpose. The General Conference of 185 1, dis- 
cussed the subject at length, and the matter was referred to the 
Board of Missions, and directions given that money for the pro- 
posed mission be sent to the treasurer of the Parent Society. 
In 1853 the board announced that as soon as there was sufficient 
money in the treasury the work would be undertaken, and an 
appeal was made for funds. At the General Conference of 
1855, resolutions in reference to the mission were again adopted, 
and the Board of Missions was directed to look about for suit- 
able men for the work. Funds, however, were wanting, as the 
treasury contained but I864 contributed for this purpose. At 
the General Conference of 1859, resolutions looking to the early 
establishment of the mission were again adopted. In i860 the 
board resolved to undertake the work. The amount in the treas- 
ury was $^,^ZS' 

The field selected in which to begin operations was India. 
Two young men, F. W. Heidner * and F. C. Hoffman -f were 
selected for the work, and instructed to prepare themselves ac- 
cordingly. Their departure, however, was deferred until the 
following General Conference, which proved to be the end of 
the proposed India mission. The General Conference of 1863 
decided that in view of the prospective cost, and the fact that 
the amount in the treasury was but 1^9,234, the establishment of 
the mission should be postponed until such time that it could be 
undertaken with better prospects of success. The General Con- 
ference of 1867 also passed resolutions, and still the board hesi- 
tated to undertake the work. The fund now amounted to 
$15,896. In 1869 the fund had increased to $18,000, and the 
board then contemplated a mission among the Chinese who 
were pouring into California by thousands. No definite steps, 
however, were taken. In 1873, the board declared that '^the 

* For many years a professor in Northwestern College. 

f Formerly principal of Union Seminary, and a son of Rev. F. Hoffman. 



482 E VANG E Lie AL AS80C2A TION ANNALS, 

period seems to be drawing near in which we should enter upon 
this important work in the name of the Lord. In 1874, the 
board decided that Japan should be considered as our mission 
field. 

At the succeeding General Confernce (1875) the following 
resolutions were adopted : 

** (i) Resolved^ That a mission among the heathen be estab- 
lished forthwith. 

^^(2) Resolved, That we consider Japan as the most favor- 
able field for such a mission, and that it be established in that 
country. 

** (3) Resolved, That the Board of Missions be instructed to 
take the necessary steps, that this mission be supplied with 
at least two suitable men as soon as possible." 

Before action was taken on the resolutions Rev. C. F. Dein- 
INGER, of the Central Pa. Conference, suggested the propriety 
of first engaging in silent prayer. This was done amid deep 
solemnity, after which the resolutions were adopted amid great 
enthusiasm. The fund at this time amounted to ^25,650. 

The board, after mature deliberation, engaged as mission- 
aries Dr. Frederick Krecker, of the East Pa. Conference, and 
Miss Rachel Hudson, an accomplished teacher, also from 
Pennsylvania, and Rev. A. Halmhuber, of the Swiss Con- 
ference. 

On Sunday, Oct. i, 1876, a very impressive farewell service 
was held in the Calvary Evangelical Church at Cleveland, 
Ohio, after which the missionaries made their final preparations 
for departure. They sailed October 18 from San Francisco, 
and after a somewhat boisterous voyage, they landed safety at 
Yokohama, Japan. They remained in Yokohama for a brief 
season. Tokio was selected by them as the place for begin- 
ning operations, and they accordingly established themselves 
there. A good beginning was made in 1877. A Sunday-school 
was organized and some souls were converted. In September 
of this year Bro. Halmhuber established himself at Osaka, 
about 300 miles distant from Tokio. The missionaries suffered 
much from the change of climate, and the work developed 
somewhat slowly at first. A small class was organized at Tokio 
prior to the General Conference of 1879. 

In the Spring of 1880 the Board of Missions selected Jacob 
Hartzler, formerly editor of the Evangelical Messenger, as an 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 483 

additional missionary, and also to take the oversight of the Mis- 
sion as superintendent. A farewell meeting was tendered him 
in the Calvary church, Cleveland, O., April 15, and on May 4 
he and his wife sailed from San Francisco, and after a voyage 
of twenty days arrived safely at Yokohama. The superintend- 
ent submitted his first report to the Board of Missions June 30, 
1880. The Mission then embraced the following : Tokio — 
Preaching places, 5 ; natives baptized during the year, 10 -, 
newly received, 10 ; whole number of native members, 23 ] Sun- 
day-schools, 4; average attendance, no. Osaka — Preaching 
places, I ; baptized, i j native members, 3 ; Sunday-schools, 2 ; 
scholars, 40. In his next report, published in October, 188 1, 
the superintendent reports six Sunday-schools, with 122 scholars ; 
six preaching places, and 37 members, and several young native 
converts under training for the gospel ministry. At the session 
of the East Pa. Conference in 1882, these first fruits for our 
ministry were licensed, namely, Hirakawa Toyotsura and Uyeno 
Mikuma. In later years many others were licensed by various 
conferences on recommendation of the missionaries. The pe- 
culiar climatic condition of Japan affected the missionaries un- 
favorably. The health of Halmhuber became so impaired that 
he was compelled to abandon the work, and on June 24, 1882, 
he departed for Europe, and the work at Osaka was discon- 
tinued. The superintendent's report, made in August, 1882, shows 
the following : One chapel, three preaching places, one Sunday- 
school, officers and teachers, 15 ; scholars, 117 ; two day schools, 
with 72 scholars; adults baptized, 26; newly converted, 26; 
newly received, 25 ; whole number of members, 51. The mis- 
sion also had a half interest in a school for the training of ap- 
plicants for the ministry. 

Although misfortunes had already befallen the mission, a 
still greater calamity awaited it. In the beginning of April, 
1883, Dr. Krecker contracted typhus fever while in the dis- 
charge of his duties, visiting and administering to the sick. After 
an illness of several weeks, April 26 his noble spirit passed into 
the realms of bliss to receive a crown from the hands of Jesus, 
while his body filled the first missionary's grave of our church. 
His noble wife, with four children, remained to work for the 
Master. 

On August 4, 1883, Prof. W. E. Waltz and wife sailed for Ja- 
pan, under appointment by the Board of Missions. This was a 



484 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA TION ANNALS. 

welcome addition to our little band of heroic missionaries. In 
the superintendent's report, June 30, 1883, appear the following 
encouraging items : Newly converted, 94 ; newly received, 96 ; 
whole number of native members, 146 ; adults baptized, 9 ; in- 
fants baptized, 28 ; native preachers, 3 ; chapels, 2 ; value, 
;^5oo ; parsonage, i ; value, $125 ; Sunday-schools, 4 ; officers 
and teachers, 15 ; scholars, 191 ; day schools, 3 ; pupils, 191, 

On the i8th of Dec, 1883, F. W. Voegelein and wife, of 
the California Conference, and Miss Ada B, Johnson, of Cleve- 
land, O., sailed from San Francisco, under appointment of the 
Board of Missions. On Dec. 6, 1884, Bishop Esher, accom- 
panied by his wife, sailed from San Francisco, for the purpose 
of inspecting the mission work in Japan. On Jan. 11, 1885, 
he ordained as deacon T. Hirakawa^ which was the first ordi- 
nation of a converted heathen by an Evangelical bishop. At 
the annual session of the Board of Missions, Oct. 2, 1885, the 
work in Japan was committed to a Managing committee, com- 
posed of F. W. Voegelein, president ; W. E. Waltz, secretary ; 
and J. Hartzler, treasurer. 

The report of the superintendent for the past year was as 
follows ; Died, 6 ; expelled, 26 ; withdrawn, 70 ; withdrew with 
certificate, 10 ; moved away, 8 ; converted, 3 ; newly received, 
1 2 . Three active and two local native preachers, three churches, 
four parsonages, five Sunday-schools, officers and teachers 16 ; 
average attendance, 215. Also three day schools, 

Oct. 22, 1885, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker sailed for the 
home land, two of her children having preceded her several 
months. She soon afterwards began to labor in the interests 
of the missionary cause throughout the church by appointment 
of the Board of Missions. Several weeks after the departure 
of Mrs. Krecker from Japan, she was followed by Miss Hud- 
son, who was completely broken down in health. Thus the 
entire original missionary band had left the field, but not with- 
out leaving behind them many enduring monuments of their 
zeal and devotion to the Master's cause. 

Although the little band was thus reduced in number, our 
missionaries in the Sunrise Kingdom were not discouraged. 
New men were ready to fill the broken ranks. F. W. Fisher, of 
the California, and G. E. Dienst, of the Kansas Conference, 
were appointed by the board, and with their families set sail 
or Japan in the Autumn of 1886, and arrived in safety in 



CONFERENCE BEG0RD8. 485 

Japan. The report of the mission for the General Conference 
of 1887 was as follows : Died, 6 ; expelled, 2 ; withdrew, 18 ; 
moved away, 17; newly converted, 82; newly received, 78; 
received with certificate, 10; whole number of members, 150; 
adults baptized, 65 ; infants baptized, 10 ; itinerants 8 (four of 
whom were natives) ; locals, 2 ; churches, 4 ; parsonages 2 j 
Sunday-schools, 7 j missionary houses in foreign concessions, 
6 j probable value, ^10,790. 

Soon after the General Conference of 1887, a training 
school was established at Tokio, for the better education of 
the candidates for the ministry. This school has proved a great 
advantage to the mission, and has been successful from the be- 
ginning. 

WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 

A number of members of the church who had removed to 
San Francisco, Cal., in November, 1862, petitioned the Board 
of Missions, for a missionary to be sent them. Owing to a lack 
of funds, the call was not complied with at the time. The Gen- 
eral Conference of 1863 decided that the field should be occu- 
pied at once, and appeals were made to the church for funds 
with such success that the board proceeded with the project, and 
selected three men for the mission field. C. F. Deininger, of 
the Central ; J. Croasman, of the Pittsburg and M. Guhl, of 
the East Pa. Conference. The missionaries departed for their 
destination in the Spring of 1864, arriving in San Francisco, 
June 8th. Deininger remained in San Francisco, Guhl went 
to San Jose, Cal., and Croasman to Oregon. 

California proved to be a very difficult field of labor. In 
San Francisco the Sabbath was but nominally observed, and sa- 
loons and stores were open as on other days. Deininger began 
his labors in a hall, July 3rd, by preaching to twelve hearers, 
eleven of whom united with the church. A class was formed, of 
which C. Smith was elected leader. In 1866, a good church 
was built in San Francisco, by Deininger. 

Croasman selected Salem, Oregon, as the central point of 
his operations. He met with considerable success and organ- 
ized a society of about fifty members. He also erected a church 
here, which was dedicated by Deininger, in the latter part of 
August, 1866. 

In 1867, J. G. Marquardt, of the New York Conference, 



486 EVANGELICAL A880G1A TION ANNALS. 

was sent to San Francisco, and Deininger was transferred to 
Salem, Oregon, while Croasman was sent up the Willametta 
Valley, some thirty-five miles. During the year, he organized 
a class of twenty members, at Corvaliis, and another at Harris- 
burg, thirty miles south, with the same number of members. 
During this year, Deininger organized at Salem, the first Evan- 
gelical Sunday-school in Oregon. 

GuHL met with no success whatever, at San Jose, although 
he labored faithfully. In 1866, the Board of Missions trans- 
ferred him to Stockton, where he met with no better success, 
and the work was discontinued. In 1869, Deininger desired 
to return east, and Josiah Bowersox, of the Central Pa. Con- 
ference, was sent to fill the vacancy, who arrived in Oregon in 
the Spring of 1870. While all the early missionaries on the 
coast have returned, Bowersox has remained up to the present 
time, having labored for a period of over twenty years, with 
untiring zeal and devotion for the upbuilding of our work in 
Oregon and Washington. In 187 1, D. S. Oakes, of the Indiana 
Conference, was sent to Oregon as an additional missionary. 

In 1872, after eight years of work, we had in Oregon three 
churches, two parsonages, and about one hundred members. 
While the result seems insignificant, the reader should remember 
that there were many and peculiar difficulties to be overcome. 

In 1875, S. Heininger, of the Michigan Conference, was 
sent as an additional missionary and was appointed to Salem. 
The following year he took up a number of appointments in the 
surrounding country, meeting with great success. In 1876, the 
work on the Pacific Coast took a long stride forward. F. W. 
Voegelein, of the Kansas Conference, was sent to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., and W. C. Kantner, of the East Pa. Conference, to 
Oregon. The latter arrived in Salem in April, and assisted 
Heininger on Salem Mission until September. This mission 
then extended from Rock Creek, thirty-seven miles S. E. of 
Salem, to West Chehalem, thirty-five miles N. W. of the same 
city. In June the first camp-meeting of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation on the Coast was held three miles S. W. of Wheatland. 
The number of tents was twenty-two, and all our missionaries 
in Oregon were in attendance. Sept. 28, 1876, the Pacific Con- 
ference was organized at Salem, Oregon. The reader is referred 
to the proceedings of the conference sessions for further detail 
of the work on the Pacific slope. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Statistics of the Evangelical Association from its Origin, 
IN 1800, TO THE Year 1887, Inclusive. 

The following tables required the most exacting and labor- 
ious work in their preparation. The difficulty of producing full 
statistics of all the conferences was found to be well nigh in- 
superable. It frequently happens that the statistics were only 
published in one of the periodicals, which made the examina- 
tion of both the German and English papers necessary. In 
many instances they contained inaccuracies which were after- 
wards corrected. In all such instances the author has used 
all available help in order to make the tables as accurate as 
possible. In several instances where typographical errors were 
manifest without subsequent correction, the figures were omit- 
ted. 

These tables furnish food for earnest thought and reflection. 
The observant reader will often discover evidences of victory 
on the one hand, and seemingly reverses on the other hand. 
He will be able to read the history of the early struggles of 
our ministry in the pittance they received as support, while 
preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. He will notice 
gradual improvement by the increased support and the erection 
of churches and parsonages. 

While errors will doubtless be detected here and there, we 
do not believe they will be of sufficient importance to impair 
the general usefulness of these tables. 

487 



488 



EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 



FROM 1800 TO THE FORMATION OF THE WESTERN 
CONFERENCE IN 1826. 



Year. 



•2 .2 

O fl 






o 



gj 


•n 





lA 









TJ 


V 













>x 


V 




fin 




G 



1800, 

I80I, 

1802, 

1803, 
1804, 
1805, 
1806, 
1807, 
1808, 
1809, 

i8io, 
1811, 
1812, 
1813, 
1814, 
1815, 
1816, 
1817, 
1818, 
1819, 
i8?o, 
1821, 
1822, 
1823, 
1824, 
1825, 
J826, 



35 



72 
160 

lOI 

196 
235 
330 
224 
267 
273 
303 
208 
204 

175 
179 
231 

254 



114 
112 
202 
129 

304 
266 

392 
306 

396 

355 
343 
258 
215 
205 
200 
265 
345 



120 

220 

426 

528 

740 

761 

796 

1,016 

1,108 

i»4oi 

1.493 

1,707 

1.895 

1,992 

1.974 

1,936 

1.854 

1,878 

2,039 

2,207 



I 

I 

2 

3 

3 

4 

3 

5 

6 

6 

8 

II 

14 

15 

16 

23 
23 
27 
28 

30 

33 
36 
35 
42 



$ 61 00 



159 33 
283 00 

344 96 
414 6 
588 38 
553 00 
700 40 
769 73 
935 58 
938 06 
708 28 
611 64 
642 97 
637 06 
676 70 
616 60 
775 89 



; 44 
42 
30 
51 

113 
65 
59 

171 

206 

354 
362 

174 
177 
149 
160 

137 
108 

97 
123 



I 
I 
I 
I 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
3 
3 

6 
6 

7 

7 

12 

13 
12 
12 
12 
II 
12 

3;io 

3iio 

311 
3,10 



Note. — The statistics of the first two tables have been taken from 
Evangelical Association " by kind permission of the author. 



Landmarks of the 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 489 

EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCES, 1827-1839. 



Year. 



'o 
o 

l-l 



1827, 



Eastern, 



1828, 



Eastern, 



1829, 



1830, 

J 

1831, 



Eastern, 



Eastern, 



Eastern, 



1832, 



Eastern, 



i833» 
I 

1834, 
1 

1835, 



Eastern, 



Eastern, 



Eastern, 



1836, 



1837, 



Eastern, 



Eastern, 



1838, 



Eastern, 



1839. 



Eastern, 



346 
293 
382 
320 
366 
246 
632 
381 
555 
446 
697 
546 
606 

471 
717 

561 
723 
508 
948 
464 
,168 
644 



4782,567 
3932,044 
4582,677 
3732,176 
435 2,862 
2,214 
•3»245 
' 2,373 
;3.58o 
2,617 
3^925 



271 
720 
538 
663 
521 
808 



512 
603 



627 2,792 
7624,252 
5603,026 
906 1 4, 689 
707:3*377 
970,5,119 
6983,630 
9435,628 

617 3»379 
,4206,665 

747|3»677 
• • 7.309 
66413,954 
. . 17,859 
71 1 '4, 206 



46 
32 
46 

33 
40 
35 
53 
36 
56 
40 

53 
35 
63 

42 
66 

41 

72 
47 

40 

45 

51 

50 



1534 
10 26 



39 
30 
44 
33 
44 
33 
53 
42 
55 
30 
64 
37 
70 
41 
82 

1543 



i 817 

704 

935 

796 

932 

790 

1.275 

1,065 

1,428 

1. 133 
1.633 
1,360 

2,157 
1,808 

2,543 
2,064 
2,540 
2,011 



$105 40 
105 40 
200 82 
185 88 
272 37 
252 82 
302 36 
266 45 

453 93 
424 91 

513 04 
464 91 
340 19 
269 41 
487 19 
404 61 
636 92 
475 70 



1,833 
2,1*68 



66 



505 04 



39 



811 28 



3,090 
3>6o7 



37 



89 



794 45 
713 10 



Note. — The figures opposite the years indicate the aggregates for both conferences. By- 
deducting the Eastern or lower figures, the statistics of the Western Conference for that year 
may be found. In 1835 three circuits were transferred from the Eastern to the Western Con- 
ference, which accounts for the decrease in the former. 



490 



ENANOELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 



EAST PA. CONFERENCE. 



Year. 

























Q 




5" 




'X3 








^ 








C 




2 






^ 




fl 


1 


■s 




o 


e< 


M 






S 


^ 


§ 


T3 


o 


o 


•s 




o 


A 

^ 


.2 



1840, . 

1841, . 

1842, . 

1843, . 

1844, • 

1845* . 

1846, . 

1847, • 

1848, . 

i849t 

1850, . 

1851, . 

1852, . 

1853, . 
i854» • 

1855, . 

1856, . 

1857, . 

1858, . 

i859» • 

i860, . 

1861, . 

1862, . 

1863, . 

1864, . 

1865, . 

1866, . 

1867, . 

1868, . 

1869, . 

1870, . 

1871, . 

1872, . 

1873, . 

1874, . 

1875, . 

1876, . 

i877t 
1878, . 



525 
476 
796 
.175 
575 
667 

557 
528 
703 
530 
487 
750 
735 
824 

738 
905 
750 
858 
1,286 
209 
071 



303 
2,029 

188 
2,196 
3.005 
2,512 
3»283 
2,741 
2,763 



618 
982 

i»37i 
696 

833 
736 
638 
1,041 
620 
691 

875 

878 

960 

865 

1,038 

766 

1,002 

i»543 

i'397 

i»25i 

I' 537 
1,113 
1,155 



i'095 
1,242 
I 
I 



718 
562 

i»535 
1,766 
1,563 
1,655 
2,212 
2,012 
2,649 
2,464 
2.888 
2,177 
2,365 



2,723 
3,439 
4,372 
4,497 
4,747 
4,790 
4,930 
5,169 
3,910 
4,087 
4,538 
4,829 
5,293 
5,701 
5,967 
6,000 

6,145 
7,009 

7,564 

7,863 

8,299 

8,633 

8,755 

8,793 

8,775 

9,000 

9,507 

9,854 

10,035 

11,060 

11,297 

12,470 

13,475 
14,401 

14,730 
15,959 
14,799 
14,998 



21 
*46 

53 
58 
63 
65 
59 
67 
45 
34 
36 
40 
42 
45 
46 
51 
50 
48 

53 
55 
58 
58 
59 
55 
60 

69 
76 
80 

78 
80 

91 

94 

98 

107 

115 

102 

105 

98 



46 



53 
78 
77 
80 
82 
94 
94 
1 01 

94 

83 
79 
81 
86 



103 
108 
109 
117 
125 
129 

133 
138 

148 

153 
154 
177 
177 
186 

195 
205 
190 
194 



35 
41 
42 
47 
58 
65 
70 
67 
75 
86 
80 
79 
84 
86 

95 

97 

104 

112 

115 
129 

143 
146 
149 
160 

174 
180 
200 
178 
191 



354 
444 
507 
527 
647 
717 

725 
618 
900 
630 

964 

1,071 

308 

162 

389 

350 

1,480 

1,811 

620 

1,872 

2,196 

2,343 
2,604 

2,555 
3,034 
3,205 
3,396 
3,022 
3,124 



2,003 

2,363 
2,036 
3,030 
3,646 
3,947 
4,136 
4,532 
5,000 
5,552 
5,395 
5,467 
5,838 
5,898 
6,687 
6,770 
7,622 
8,587 
8,677 
8,972 
10,946 
11,613 
12,849 

14,745 
16,500 

17,507 
19,148 
17,729 
18,174 



* Includes itinerant elders, deacons and traveling preachers on trial, t The organization 
of the New York Conference accounts for the decrease of this year, t The formation of the 
Atlantic Conference caused a decrease. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
EAST PA. CONFERENCE— C^;?//««^^. 



491 





13 


-d 




12 


^ 






^ 











Year. 


8 
>> 

•* 




'a 
i 









i 


J 

C/2 


.1 

12 


i2 

c4 


3 

1 


t 
1 


1879. .... 


2,007 


1,928 


14,790 


91 


84 


195 


30 


191 


3,147 


18,889 


4,272 




1880, . 






2,225 


2,027 


14,863 


95 


88 


192 


31 


189 


3,258 


20,083 


7,385 






1881, . 






1,549 


1.590 


14,805 


100 


79 


194 


30 


193 


3,258 


19,900 


8,264 






1882, . 






1,719 


1,782 


14,867 


98 


88 


191 


32 


187 


3,242 


20,740 


8,705 






1883, . 






1,926 


1,884 


15,275 


107 


75 


193 


34 


183 


3,215 


20,921 


14,246 






1884, . . 






1,913 


2,088 


15,472 


107 


70 


201 


36 


189 


3,256 


22,356 


12,048 






1885. . 






1,682 


1,742 


15,763 


115 


79 


203 


35 


189 


3,234 


22,865 


11,182 






1886, . 






2,207 


2,152 


16,456 


117 


80 


206 


37 


184 


3,244 


22,504 


10,446 






1887, . . 






2,062 


2,146 


16.933 


118 


84 


210 


35 


185 


3,437 


23,569 


13,183 







WEST PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



TS 




'^ 
















i 


« 


T3 


j^ 




Ul 


JS 


a 


^ 


^.• 




8 





> 


V 


a ^ 


cS 


-a 


r.^ 


8 


^ 

>> 


303 

« a 

<u 


1 




s 


4> 


£ 


1^ 


^ 


1 





12; 


z 


^ 


cn 


J2 





. 


298 


, , 


$44 16 






. 


549 


. . 


55 56 














3,429 


4687K 












1,384 


4,508 


47 52 












828 


*4,56i 


42 84 










724 


871 


5,200 


44 76 
48 84 










722 


812 


5,152 


52 56 










800 


954 


5,352 


51 84 
77 00 










876 


1,034 


5,927 




44 


398 


999 


1,179 


6,105 










80 


584 


464 


567 


4,020 










. 




592 


684 


4,203 










45 




588 


693 


4,383 










. 




540 


539 


3,906 














479 


604 


4,309 










31 


247 


646 


753 


4=474 










28 


286 


800 


923 


4.972 










32 


214 


784 


929 


5,188 










3 


7 


42 


5 



1840, 
I84I, 
1842, 
1843, 
1844, 
1845, 

i846t 
1847, 
1848, 

i849t 
1850, 

1851, 
i852§ 
1853, 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 
1857, 
1858, 
1859, 



2,063 
3,303 

4,803 



1,273 
1,626 

1,713 
1,360 



* Membership of Cumberland Circuit not reported because of the absence of Brother Boas, 
pastor in charge, who was taken ill. t No statistics published, t Owing to the absence of a 
number of preachers no statistics were given. § The Pittsburg Conference was constituted, 
hence the decrease. 



492 



EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 



CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 
(Formerly the West Pa. Conference.) 



Year. 



I 

o 

u 



^ 



i860, 
I86I, 
1862, 

1863, 

1864, 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
I87I, 
1872, 
1873. 
1874, 
1875, 
1876, 

i877» 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



837 



1,027 
i»i73 



5,689 
6,143 



524 
867 

i»77i 
1,599 



865 

674 

686 

1,180 

1,177 



2,296 

1,777 
2,694 
2,042 

2,903 
1,941 
2,780 
2,406 
1,968 
1,450 
2,230 
1,667 
1,891 
1,876 
2,200 
2,418 



1,949 
1,487 
2,140 
1,537 
1,964 
1,519 
2,046 
1,691 
1,656 
1,187 
1,739 
1,375 
1,483 
1,528 
1,424 
1,979 



6,338 
6,303 
6,221 
6,769 
6,772 
6,918 

>,774 
8,261 
8,667 
9,468 

10,135 
10,829 
11,003 

11,157 
10,870 
11,023 
11,215 
11,618 

11,395 
12,055 
12,227 
12,077 
12,745 
12,757 
13,734 



373 
613 



2,008 
1,790 



7670 



84 
87 
86 

72 
89 

94 
107 
116 
121 
136 
140 

151 
157 
156 
161 
167 
168 
184 

185 
198 
194 
199 
201 
214 
216 



606 
609 
623 
606 
794 



2,849 
2,856 
3,006 
3,248 
4,361 



113 
128 
127 
128 
131 
153 
161 
167 
178 
177 

173 
182 
177 
170 
188 
197 



1,410 
1,506 

1,654 
1,627 
1,807 
1,892 
2,309 
1,977 
2,234 
2,255 
2,217 
2,228 
2,199 
2,288 

2,237 
2,275 



7,049 

8,105 

8,956 

8,837 

9,755 

10,730 

11,978 

12,318 

19,091 
14,264 
14,452 
13,611 
13,646 
14,210 
15,288 
16,568 



$1,089 
1,525 
2,774 
3,067 
2,226 



3,889 

3,704 
3,993 
3,063 
2,848 
2,667 
2,641 
2,647 
5,058 
4,613 
4,277 
4,928 
4,493 
4,330 
4,357 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
PITTSBURG CONFERENCE. 



49^ 



Year. 





































I) 








1 


S2 




9J 












f. 










a. 


c4 


a 






«1) 


u 


13 




<u 
u 


2 

-3 






C 


S 


H 


S£ 


.£J 


.S 


rt 


^ 


hJ 


cn 


o 


rjl 


u 


^ 



1852,* 
1853. 

i854> 

i855,t 

1856, 

1857. 
1858, 

i859» 

i860, 

j86i, 

18624 

1863, 

1864, 

1865, 

1866, 

1867, 

1868, 

1869, 

1870, 

1871, 

1872, 

1873. 
1874, 

1875, 
1876, 

1877, 
1878, 
1879, 
1880, 
1881. 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



423 
528 
496 

505 
276 

519 
730 
544 
485 



693 



545 
632 
607 
609 
388 
642 
776 

651 

580 
780 
721 
748 
568 
368 
763 
832 



1,108 
1,186 
842 
1,442 
1,716 

1,485 
1,289 

1,489 
1,180 
1,194 
862 
1,512 
1,019 
1,263 
1,698 
1,207 
1,414 



1,130 
1,196 
841 
1,256 
1,762 
1,390 
1,258 
1,420 

1,115 
1,102 

938 
1,289 
1,029 
1,257 
1,472 
1,102 
1,362 



2,790 
3,486 
3,498 
3,348 
3,414 
3,818 
3»8ii 
4,292 
4,171 
5,237 
4,132 
5,247 
5,484 
4,968 
4,858 
4,870 
5,223 
5,384 
5,692 
6,279 
7,053 
t6,375 
7,068 
7,786 
7,803 
7,457 
7,635 
7^967 
7,735 
7,582 
7,746 
8,177 
8,517 
8,858 
9.225 
8,712 



54 
53 
52 
54 
65 
57 
71 
70 
75 
81 

95 
112 

113 

125 
139 
131 
143 
151 
170 

143 
145 
i55 
155 
156 
152 
160 



109 
206 
378 
212 
344 
433 
389 



527 
562 

509 
660 

740 
737 
754 



992 
1,227 
1,247 
1,348 
1,385 
1,550 
1,455 
1,363 
1,434 
1,316 

1,309 
1,414 

1,519 
1,505 
1,443 
1,503 
1,583 



576 
866 
1,346 
1,146 
4,450 
1,898 
1,760 



2,630 

3,033 
1,640 

2,859 
3,703 
3»649 
4,119 



5,122 

6,327 
6,466 
7,627 
7,098 
10,558 
7,707 
8,281 
8,338 
8,055 
8,056 
8,465 
9,069 
9,470 
9,431 
9,708 
9,986 



62 

58 
69 
74 
71 
75 
75 
79 
80 

84 

90 

94 

90 

113 

113 

121 

118 

128 

131 
130 

136 
133 
149 
152 
158 
161 
160 



$1,000 
849 

1,600 
2,043 
1,668 



2,018 
2,320 

3,513 
1,836 
2,581 
1,690 
1,307 
1,576 
1,351 
1,506 
1,994 
1,316 
2,076 
1,930 
2,095 
1958 
1,937 



* Statistics incomplete f Statistics incomplete. +A number of charges in Virginia were 
practically abandoned, owing to the Civil War, hence the decrease. 



494 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

OHIO CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



TS 




V 


tS 


V 


^ 


> 


O) 


a 





o 


V 


o 




>% 


>> 


^ 


^ 


<u 


«i 


z 


^ 




545 




678 




670 


. . 


850 


. . 


779 


441 


524 


. . 


403 


347 


494 


461 


596 


367 


504 


377 


556 


411 


600 


345 


563 


534 


741 


592 


791 


400 


55H 


419 


599 


716 


931 


539 


«i3 




948 


. . 


515 




1.039 


. . 


923 


596 


759 




5«2 


. . 


897 


• • 


904 


822 


952 


940 


985 


886 


978 


i,33« 


1,366 


905 


1,124 


1,487 


1,436 









;-< 




4; 




^ 







w 


s 







H 


M 


t3 


u 


£3 


in 


eJ 


>> 


12 






'V 





a 


^ 


ifi 






1840, 

I84I, 
1842, 
1843. 
1844,, 
1845/ 

1846, 

1847, 

1848, 

1849, 
1850, 
I85I, 
1852, 
1853, 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 
1857, 
1858, 

i859» 
i860, 
1861, 
1862, 
1863, 
1864, 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869. 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 
1873. 
i874> 
1875, 
1876, 



4,658 



638 
190 
521 
923 

257 
908 

147 
272 

451 
841 

135 
392 
667 
718 

457 
806 
213 

439 
222 
809 
140 
157 
451 
456 

530 
079 
398 
489 
716 
838 
935 
598 
975 
455 



$46 
49 
50 

43 
40 

49 
50 
56 
47 
53 
46 
74 



39 



56 



44 
47 
48 

35 
40 

54 
46 
40 

60 
60 
35 
74 
84 
75 
67 
68 

73 
83 
89 
96 
108 

115 
112 

131 
138 
130 



231 
250 
356 
200 
422 
432 
408 
427 

612 
566 
367 
732 
778 
798 
672 

777 
783 



225 
100 
219 
519 
595 
509 



979 
1,347 
1,487 
1,135 
2,433 
2,309 
6,385 
1,781 

2,352 
2,647 
1,592 
3,934 
4,436 
3,886 
1,257 
3,472 
3,672 



6,368 
6,447 
6,631 
8,926 
9,104 
9.705 



78 

49 

83 

87 

89 

94 

89 

90 

104 

100 

108 

13 
20 

27 
113 
138 
149 



♦The decrease is owing to the formation of the Illinois Conference. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
OHIO CONFERENCE.— 6V7«//«2^^^. 



495 



Year. 













U 




X5 




a 




CJ 




g 




«4-l 




o 


'O 


1^ 


J? 




> 


^ 




a 

s 


u 


c 


>^ 


u 






^ 


i 


^ 


;^ 



1877, 
1878, 

1879, 

1880, 
I88I, 
1882, 
1883, 

1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



1,134 

721 

1,149 

i,cx)4 

721 

658 

996 

997 

1,378 

i,45o 

1,063 



1,305 
1,085 
1,032 

975 

917 

821 

1,090 

1,082 



7,371 
7,484 
7,526 
7,983 
7,792 
7,746 
7,990 
8,170 



1,3448,427 
1,28318,424 
1,11318,535 



127 
127 
127 
129 
129 
117 

135 
127 

135 
139 
134 



1,372 
1,530 
1,421 

1,451 
1,522 
1,416 
1,308 
1,664 

1,633 
1,812 
1,804 



8,287 

8,413 
8,256 
9,028 
8,337 
9,699 
6,574 
9,305 
9,585 
10,719 
10,462 



134 
135 
131 
135 
134 
136 
137 
141 

139 

142 

145 



2,445 
3,685 
2,417 
2,635 
3,857 
4,525 

6,097 

5.178 
3,861 



496 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

ILLINOIS CONFERENCE. 



Year. 

























V 










^ 










B 










V 










S 


in 






'd 


^ 


^ 


12 








rt 






> 


^ 


d) 


^ 




•53 


s 


^ 














1 


2 

c 


CI. 

oi 

u 

3 





^ 



1845,* 

1846, 

1847, 

1848, 

1849. 

1850, 

I85I, 

1852, 

1853, t 

1854, 

1855, 

1856, 

18574 
1858, 

1859. 
i860, 
I86I, 
1862, 
1863, 

1864, 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
I87I, 
1872, 

1873. 
1874. 
1875, 
1876, 

1877. 



216 

292 

454 
486 
650 
474 
542 
672 

815 
717 

544 
940 
726 



827 



1,114 

1,085 
753 
644 

1,360 
938 
928 

1,780 



246 
224 
359 
551 
637 
687 

845 
695 
673 
815 
1,067 

943 

644 

1,074 

956 



553 
823 
600 
384 
657 
919 

935 



1,041 
1,087 

874 
824 

1,445 
1,127 

944 
1,859 



1,048 



1,466 
1,980 
2,613 
2,985 
3' 597 
3.936 
2,825 

3,505 
4,109 
4,642 
3.575 
4,110 

4,639 
5,177 



4,501 
5,075 
5,258 
5,098 
5.191 
5-691 
6,148 
6,538 
7,062 
7,526 
8,009 
8,238 
8,171 
8,749 
8,831 
9,006 
10,062 



39 
45 
49 
53 
54 
61 
70 
65 
70 
73 
75 
83 
85 

1^^ 



41 
32 
45 
54 
51 
56 
60 

63 
^6 

74 
82 
88 
91 
94 

99 
10 r 
107 
113 
115 



282 
306 
249 
283 



1,001 

1,383 
1,211 
1,046 



34 



263 



936 



331 
368 
580 



1,425 
1,357 
2,135 



59 
60 
66 
66 

63 

72 

81 

89 

99 

105 

115 

116 

120 

123 

127 

149 

147 



572 
618 
670 

731 
712 
824 
958 



2,528 
2,542 
2,911 
3.056 
3,196 
3,285 
4.297 



1,420 

1,513 
1.623 
1,618 
1,772 
1,786 
1,992 
2,070 



6,483 
7,178 
8,007 

8,383 
4,080 

9.334 
10,614 
11,003 



»3,333 
3.982 
2,411 
3,050 
4,798 
5,580 
7,702 



7,076 
5,190 
6,074 
6,866 
12,752 
9.518 
7,284 
6,567 



♦The salary of the missionaries was onlj' $35.28, while that of the circuit preachers 
amounted to $72.24. The latter unanimously deducted $12.24 from their salary and added it 
to that of the missionaries, making the salaries $47.52 each for the missionaries and §60.00 for 
the circuit missionaries. tThe Indiana Conference formed — hence the decrease. J The Wis- 
consin Conference formed — previous session caused the decrease. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
ILLINOIS CONFERENCE— C^«/z««^^. 



4&7 



Year. 



^ 



1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



1,085 

1,021 
849 
916 
900 
965 

1,185 
911 
956 

1,022 



188 
029 
025 
136 
176 
100 

523 
241 
228 
292 



178 
213 
207 
434 
571 
708 
989 
882 
950 
326 



84 



99 



117 
122 
122 
123 
125 
126 
130 
129 
132 
132 



142 
147 
148 
147 
144 
141 
145 
149 
147 
149 



.199 
084 
166 
150 
173 

209 

253 
270 
320 



,617 

,308 

.471 
,858 

695 

.787 
005 

423 
848 
418 



8,169 
7,686 
6,312 

12,513 
14, ie8 
15,766 
16,697 
8,581 
14,614 
14,053 



498 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS, 

NEW YORK CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



i»4», 

1849. 
1850, 
1851, 
1852, 
1853, 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 

1857, 
1858, 

1859, 

i860, 

1861, 

1862, 

1863, 

1864, * 

1865, 

1866, 

1867, 

1868, 

1869, 

1870, 

1871, 

1872, 

1873, 

1874, 

1875, 

1876, 

1877, 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



304 
366 

257 
262 

437 
395 



469 



422 
525 
393 
416 

570 
554 
566 
530 
647 



1,837 
2,148 
2,285 
2,524 
2,856 
3,165 
3.365 
3,590 
3,711 



89 
117 
128 
194 



467 

637 

732 

1,051 



225 
230 
264 



1,235 
1,292 

1,378 



856 



986 
604 
628 
654 



4,689 
4,703 
4,065 
5,372 
5,413 



144 
67 

94 



28 



27 



370 
469 
572 



2,099 
2,244 
2,556 
2,797 
4,004 



$2, 145 



253 
317 
315 



306 

184 

668 

360 

448 

448 

340 

236 

267 

308 

332 

212 

410 

31 

275 

413 



321 

338 
755 
439 
527 
527 
422 

304 
393 
448 
452 
374 
560 
408 
364 
431 



3,066 
3,021 
3,032 

3,043 
3,222 

3,489 
3,639 
3,585 
3,621 
3,962 
4,056 
4,259 
4.247 
4,138 
4,101 
4,108 
4,187 
4,252 
4,265 
4.374 
4.476 
4.397 
4,56 



402 
410 



2,077 
2,011 
2,159 



3.677 
2,184 
2,061 



607 
630 
661 
690 
714 
792 
817 
763 
750 
747 
776 

789 
763 
871 
802 
804 
785 



2,964 
3.054 
3,o8i 
3,124 
3,221 
3,769 
3,469 
3.510 
3.458 
3,470 
3.556 
3,612 
3.585 
3.832 
3.933 
3.703 
3,827 



2,626 
3.113 
5,196 
4,421 
3,356 
2,685 
2,995 
3.045 
2,777 
2,389 
2,641 
3.848 

3,058 
2,087 
3,048 
4.077 



*Thc decrease was due to the formation of the Canada Conference. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
INDIANA CONFERENCE. 



499 



Year. 



i853» 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 

1857, 
1858, 

1859. 
i860, 
1861, 
1862, 
1863, 
1864, 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 
1873, 
1874, 
1875, 
1876, 

1877,* 

1878, 

1879, 

1880, 

1881, 

1882, 

1883, 

1884, 

1885, 

1886, 

1887, 



235 
176 
221 
236 
434 
447 
368 



292 
250 
320 
342 
692 
611 
545 



360 
344 
339 
555 



486 
544 
583 
534 
670 
644 



417 
675 
520 
1,028 
565 
855 
487 
475 
375 
442 
781 

579 
761 
902 
672 
1,001 
751 



582 

795 
850 

1^344 
885 

1,012 
578 
576 
648 
540 
955 
754 
739 
837 
753 

1,066 
901 



1,445 
i»5i9 
1,746 

I' 936 
2,874 

3>i3i 
3»5oo 
3,836 



143 
179 
217 
261 
278 
258 
237 
521 



3,989 
4,067 

4,364 
4.519 
4,049 

4,449 
4,672 
4,987 
5,165 
5,353 
5,777 
5,909 
6,053 
6.631 

6,723 
6,944 
5,042 
5,242 
5,224 
5,285 
5,581 
4,792 
5,871 
6,162 
5,906 
6,470 
6,710 



56 
53 
64 
67 
77 
85 
87 
84 
96 
loi 
100 

115 

118 

114 

124 

94 

80 

81 

84 

78 

83 
102 

87 
94 
90 
98 



555 
573 
586 
607 
774 
817 



1,125 
144 

304 

457 

378 

1,435 

1,131 

913 

964 

995 

935 

992 

1,096 

1,086 

1,154 
1,221 
1,221 



490 
618 
706 
844 

1,139 
955 

1,119 

1,732 



43 



19 



2,021 
2,339 
2,543 
2,638 

3,431 
3,971 



5,330 
5,080 
6,271 
7,686 
6,322 
7,156 
5,570 
4,568 
5,011 
5,091 
5,247 
5,640 
6,032 

6,157 
6,036 

4,933 
7,107 



53 
55 
60 

63 
66 

75 
85 
82 
86 

98 
109 
112 
III 
116 

87 
88 

93 
97 
98 

lOI 

103 
105 
103 
104 

lOI 



$2,578 
3,256 
3,30^ 
4,822 
4,068 



4,622 

4,930 
6,580 
6,968 
6,694 

5,629 
4,004 
2,525 
2,494 
2,627 
4,226 
4,181 
3,507 
3,087 

2,964 
4,839 
5,092 



■"Decrease is owing to the formation of the South Indiana Conference. 



500 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



CA 




















<u 










J2 










a 










flj 








■2 


a 




















o 






w 


s 


(U 






O 


H 


X3 






O 




a 

'o 




(U 




c/p 


2^ 


ji 
^ 


J3 


f2 




O 



1857, 
1858, 

1859. 

i860, 
I86I, 
1862, 
1863, 
1864. 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 

I870, 
1871, 
1872, 

1873, 
1874, 
1875, 
1876, 

1877, 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



378 



514 



2,004 



24 



163 



629 



694 
681 



579 
554 
665 
738 



896 
807 
476 
474 
739 
726 

677 
806 
968 



730 
710 
691 

.247 
922 

739 
,038 
766 

813 
602 
518 
740 
576 
825 
790 
819 
782 



821 

779 
807 

,366 

,058 
909 

,098 
844 

.033 
878 
701 

,059 
,009 
,270 
,038 
,024 
,030 



3.256 
3.794 
3>667 
3.783 
4,066 

4439 
4,859 
5.201 

5,793 
6,372 
6,811 

7,437 
7,672 

7,990 
8,038 

8,739 
9.123 

9.310 
9,782 
9,920 
10,054 
10,097 
10,003 
10,355 
10,467 
10,831 
11,171 

11.399 
11,620 



32 

33 

37 

45 

50 

53 

57 

64 

69 

79 

83 

90 

95 

102 

107 

no 

118 

122 

122 

121 

130 

134 

139 

143 

149 

150 

153 

156 



52 
62 

63 
60 

78 
88 

97 
100 
109 
107 
114 
126 
141 
141 

147 
156 
167 
171 
170 

173 
171 
178 
182 
186 
186 
184 
181 
181 



374 
370 
488 
498 
548 
584 
598 
651 
842 



1,074 
1,209 
1,289 
1,299 
1,462 
1.518 
1,583 
1,608 

1.695 

1.754 
1,804 
1,883 
1,928 

1,999 
2,000 
2,056 



278 
5i6 
811 
844 
240 

547 
840 
100 
692 



473 
862 
000 
199 
777 
352 
392 
612 

777 
059 
243 
735 
726 
070 



800 70 

202 70 

2,05619,20373 



* This amount is from the auxiliaries and does not represent the aggregate which is not given. 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
IOWA CONFERENCE. 



501 



Year. 



!/5 








o 




^ 




s 




<u 




s 


!/i 


'V> 


u 










CJ 




/2 


u 






c 


eu 












c; 


u 


ri 






o 


(U 


^ 


d 


^ 


HH 



O 


lU 


^ 


'd 






tn 


«] 


n3 


S2 


3 


!fi 


C/2 


o 



1861, , 

1862, . 

1863, , 

1864, . 

1865, . 

1866, . 

1868, . 

1869, . 

1870, . 

1871, . 

1872, . 

1873, • 

1874, . 

1875, ■ 
1876,* 

1877, . 

1878, . 

1879, . 

1880, . 

1881, . 

1882, . 

1883, . 

1884, . 

1885, • 

1886, . 

1887, . 



499 



467 

488 
370 
554 



810 
871 
655 
1,108 
762 

347 
603 
420 
427 
280 
262 

309 
225 

535 
252, 
404 
532 



1,028 
929 

833 
1,294 
1,186 

571 
820 
550 
663 
439 
437 
479 
463 
704 

477 
478 
710 



1,605 

1,895 
2,104 
2,458 
2.444 
2,980 

2,553 
3'034 
3,614 
4,173 
4,762 

4,717 
5,260 
5,702 
3,328 
3,780 
3,080 
4,198 
3,583 
3,652 
3,724 
3,813 
4,159 
4,018 
4,406 
4,825 



17 
23 
34 
46 
48 
59 
38 
44 
67 
79 
78 
89 
91 
106 

75 

91 

97 

107 

75 
86 

91 
94 
103 
104 
102 
106 



119 

234 
331 
309 
456 



386 
J, 105 
1,787 
1,138 
1,362 
2,020 



11,419 

2,447 
892 

1,923 
2,155 



839 
742 
836 
1,025 
987 

831 

877 
1,048 

850 
892 
907 

1,054 
1,080 
1,051 
1,129 



3,037 
3,002 
3,261 
3,870 
5,004 
2,825 
3,247 
3,526 
4,060 
3,677 
3,487 
3,572 
3,883 
4,130 
4,067 
4,240 
4,709 



1,435 
1,478 
3,100 
3,545 
3,957 
2,591 
2,667 

4,153 
3,019 
2,960 
3,561 
4,240 
4,467 
5,932 
6,828 
6,092 
5,222 



'The decrease is owing to the formation of the Des Moines Conference. 



502 ENANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

KANSAS CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



> 
o 

u 

>s 

'% 



S 



1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868. 
1869, 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 

1873, 
1874, 
1875, 
1876, 

1877, 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



34 
108 



165 
179 
160 

319 
209 

284 

245 
210 
240 
500 
358 
550 
269 
370 
593 
625 
717 



51 
137 



235 
244 
280 
446 
333 
387 
365 
388 
527 
809 

590 
727 

363 
567 
525 
899 
1,041 



176 
250 
412 
607 
696 

,125 
517 
423 
694 
,848 
156 
249 
382 
646 
,087 
245 
512 
409 
772 
923 
442 
'878 



29 

47 



130 
201 



156 

2 

225 

296 

316 

364 

455 

470 

504 

605 

626 

655 
663 
649 
730 
830 

839 



608 
761 
726 
978 
1,159 
1,219 

1,660 
1,900 
2,429 
2,606 

2,973 
3,000 

3,864 
3,453 
3,791 
4,189 



$1,303 

913 

1,140 

1,467 
2,021 
1,867 

2,488 
2,364 
2.370 
3,605 
3,366 

3,153 
3,812 

6,157 
5,065 
6,951 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
CANADA CONFERENCE. 



503 



Year. 



^ 



1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 

1873, 
1874, 

1875, 
1876, 
1877, 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



485 



472 
305 
345 



423 
343 
3ir 
480 
366 
599 
489 
402 

367 
608 

527 
386 

344 
580 

543 
490 

399 



395 
308 

371 
515 
358 
709 
666 
523 
544 

643 
730 
441 
620 
704 
524 
529 



810 
842 
986 
956 
070 

417 
427 
664 
727 
856 
946 
148 

459 
621 
684 
920 
088 

043 
066 
292 
580 
689 
770 



354 
347 
415 



586 
620 
724 
787 
793 
823 
923 

984 
988 

983 
1,041 
r.025 
1,007 
1,015 
1,069 
1.058 
1,077 



1,723 
I 779 
2,008 



$2,704 
1,548 
1,727 



3,107 
4,350 
3,793 
4,223 
4,282 
4,325 
5,487 
4,917 
5,289 

5,999 
5,434 
5,332 
5,320 
5,654 
5,783 
5,868 

5,959 



2,291 
2,975 
4,170 
3,795 
3,535 
5,906 
4,020 
7,287 
4,091 
3,276 
4,182 

4,355 
6,204 

4,675 
4,134 
4,276 
5,403 



504 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 



Year. 







w 








































<u 




















^ 




















s 




















a 


en 










S2 




^3 


73 


M-4 

o 


^ 


12 






^ 






Si 


OJ 




cS 


V 






O 






S^ 


> 


JD 


jS 






o 


■*^ 




a 


fi 


s 


Oh 






1 


-s 










4) 


1 




o 




c5 


52 




^ 

« 


o 


V 








o 


o 


^ 

^ 




^ 




rt 

^ 


S3 
C/2 


. o 


CA2 



o 
U 



1865, 
1866, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 

1873, 
1874, 
1875. 
1876, 

1877^ 
1878, 

1979. 
1880, 
188 1, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



113 



566 
301 
417 
720 
789 
997 
755 
705 
640 
619 
556 
687 

485 
782 
961 
.191 
975 



225 

315 



593 

337 
486 

743 
885 
902 
751 
847 
737 
703 
679 
647 
613 
932 
.033 
999 
972 



1,414 

1.369 
1,892 
2,144 

2,491 
2,860 
3,230 
3.291 
3.342 
3,660 
4,285 
4,600 
4.931 
5.055 
5.309 
5.302 
5,419 
5.442 
5.611 
5.990 
6,332 
6,516 
6,929 



14 
20 

31 
27 
35 
44 
50 
54 
64 
69 
82 
86 
96 
94 
97 
108 

lOI 

102 
104 

99 
106 

105 
114 



no 

124 



423 
487 
538 

654 
725 
821 
928 
968 

955 
,013 
023 
,024 
,081 

073 
116 
106 
546 



323 

576 

1,074 



739 
952 
393 
865 
210 
889 
134 
319 
356 
671 
661 
069 
926 
249 
589 
951 
695 



$978 
1,185 



2,562 
2,427 
4,267 
3.000 
2,900 
2,585 
3.658 
2,689 
4,470 
3.550 
3.679 
3.313 
3,926 
3.833 
5.583 
4.915 
4.304 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
MINNESOTA CONFERENCE. 



505 



Year. 



1868, 
1869. 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 
1873, 
1874. 
1875, 
1876, 
1877, 
1878. 

1879. 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883. 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



230 
203 
242 
432 
326 

519 
467 
472 
323 
441 
324 
640 
446 
417 
447 
397 
513 



311 

327 
604 
491 
610 

531 
586 

577 
791 

533 
990 

833 
495 
596 
596 
666 



1,536 
1,743 
2,059 
2,223 
2,376 
2,424 
2,790 
3.076 

3,399 
3,609 
3,801 
3,978 
4,292 

4,436 
4,818 
5,140 
4,180 
4,489 
4,787 
4,934 



18 
20 
21 
25 
27 
28 

31 
36 
38 
41 
42 12 



65 

74 
79 
88 

89 

96 

98 

III 

113 
119 

125 
95 
97 
99 

104 



390 



1,595 



525 
612 

633 
810 

837 
891 

903 
1,011 

990 
1,099 

1,153 
1,025 
1,068 
1,101 
1,128 



1,911 
2,267 
2,442 
2,705 
3,023 
3,069 
3,200 
3,535 
3,676 
4,056 
4,164 
3,696 
3,910 
4,134 
6,396 



|2,8lO 

3.- 194 
4,305 
4,259 
3.904 
4,927 
4,370 
6,283 
5.645 
5,218 
6,805 
7,031 
7,403 
6,221 

6,417 

7,702 

6,794 



506 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

ATLANTIC CONFERENCE. 



Year. 



1876, 

1877, 
1878, 

1879. 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



202 
235 
160 
216 

178 

183 
208 
232 
201 
130 
146 



253 
228 
262 
304 
335 
365 
351 
424 
331 
246 

293 



1,677 
1,798 
1,940 
2 '020 
2,148 
2,195 
2,339 
2,438 
2,616 
2,557 
2,540 
2,500 



315 2,015 

3441,889 



356 

378 
392 
417 

434 
433 
423 
448 
433 
449 



2,282 

2,414 
2,682 
2,840 

2,943 
2,950 
3,121 
3,509 
3-704 
3,718 



$2,434 

2,278 

2,550 

2,774 
3,267 
3,584 
4,069 

4,527 
5,025 
4,576 
6,248 



ERIE CONFERENCE. 



1876, 

T877, 
1878, 

1879, 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883. 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



217 

188 

245 
109 
263 
294 
251 
357 
336 
311 



301 
269 
322 
205 
336 
373 
432 
452 
419 
377 



2,459 
2,624 
2,685 
2,782 
2,924 
2,998 
3.013 
3,290 
3,540 
3,544 
3,597 



3214 



399 
460 
510 
519 
523 
551 
571 
618 

625 
640 
654 



2,065 
2,320 
2,359 
2,934 
2,958 
2,986 

3,094 
3,400 

3,633 
3,720 

3,789 



$1,700 
2,204 
2,892 
2,020 
2,608 
4,074 
4,248 
2,989 
3,143 
4,220 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE. 



507 



Year. 



1876, 

1877, 
1878, 

1879. 
1880, 
1881, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



156 
76 
197 
231 
156 
215 
152 
205 
207 

84 
204 



198 
100 
233 
293 
227 

303 
210 
218 
258 
187 
219 



1,794 
1,819 
1,896 
2,046 

2,145 
2,250 
2,293 
2,329 
2,399 
2,367 
2,739 



3316 

3316 

32 

35 

35 

36 

37 

38 

38 

38 

39 



428 
358 

391 

429 

449 
443 
468 

509 
510 
509 
499 



028 
958 
833 
055 
160 
220 
244 
171 

349 
252 

392 



$2,105 
2,699 
2,227 
1,850 
1,818 
2,002 
2,601 
2,381 
2,036 
1,940 
2,115 



DES MOINES CONFERENCE. 



1876, . 

1977, . 

1878, . 

1879, . 

1880, . 

1881, . 

1882, * 

1883, . 

1884, . 

1885, . 

1886, . 

1887, . 



784 
847 
376 
555 
708 

585 
530 
387 
830 
661 
665 
836 



842 
836 
538 
713 
788 
604 

573 
470 
808 
890 
642 
966 



,781 
,018 

950 
121 

274 
615 
076 

045 
341 
,612 
,710 
832 



293 
386 

487 
552 
513 
585 
419 
463 
519 
584 
592 
634 



1,636 
1,953 
2,392 
2,804 
2,750 
3,440 
2,564 
3,016 
3,526 
3,705 
2,672 
4,000 



$1,139 

751 
1,243 
1,250 
1,376 
2,000 

1,859 
1,781 
1,820 
1,911 
1,819 
1,495 



* The decrease is owing to the formation of th» Platte River Conference 



508 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

PACIFIC CONFERENCE. 



Year. 







«3 


















;-i 


















V 












, 






ja 












>2 






a 


V) 










!> 


'6 


^3 


4J 

a 




03 








1 


o 


> 







^ 









*"* 


> 


'!m 













Xi 


n3 


CI 








p^ 


a 




OJ 





C 


8 






1 


J? 






T3 
C/2 





256 


263 


487 


6 


I 


4 


4 


7 


69 


107 


168 


5«9 


6 


I 


6 


4 


12 


1 10 


.87 


148 


658 


7 


3 


6 


5 


14 


97 


119 


212 


708 


^9 


4 


9 


7 


13 


no 


80 


146 


749 


10 


4 


10 


8 


16 


157 


132 


187 


826 


II 


5 


13 


9 


20 


166 


155 


209 


890 


12 


4 


14 


10 


21 


191 



1877, 
1878, 

1879, 

1880, 
I88I, 
1882, 
1883, 



354 
600 
671 
698 

817 
1,216 
[26 



$323 
344 
493 
590 
522 
817 
950 



CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE. 



1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



14 


33 


2S7 


5 


2 


5 


4 


7 


69 


425 


44 


115 


302 


7 


2 


6 


6 




87 


589 


24 


81 


341 


7 




6 


5 


8 


93 


706 


20 


79 


360 


7 


4 


7 


6 


10 


108 


770 



$434 

908 
841 



OREGON CONFERENCE. 



1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



71 


III 


686 


9 


4 


12 


6 


15 


124 


650 


171 


235 


849 


II 


5 


13 


7 


23 


138 


1,059 


264 


297 


I,CXX1 


10 


4 


lb 


7 


24 


230 


1,3^8 


258 


318 


1,137 


13 


8 


19 


7 


32 


291 


1,608 



$43 1 
813 
904 
780 



CONFERENCE RECORDS. 
NEBRASKA CONFERENCE. 



509 



Year. 







r/5 




















l-H 




















(U 




















XJ 












yj 








s 


wj 










OJ 




. 




(U 












^ 




TS 
U 


'T3 


M-l 





«3 













(U 


> 







X 













> 








C^ 






ri 


n3 




c 






Cu 


CS 




ni 





c 




o 


?i 


;zi 


C 


^ 




^ 


t 




i 


(U 

'A 


1 


'0 


<u 
c 


"3 

-1 


1 






C/2 




C 




31 


90 


675 


13 


3 


7 


8 


22 


139 


566 


75 


124 


761 


14 


5 


II 


12 


26 


219 


671 


121 


199 


927 


17 


5 


II 


15 


30 


244 


95 s 


144 


241 


1,069 


16 


6 


13 


16 


36 


282 


1,113 


126 


267 


1,148 


18 


8 


18 


16 


36 


3" 


1,140 


253 


391 


1,413 


22 


2 


23 


15 


42 


403 


1,493 


176 


244 


1,428 


22 


S 


27 


IS 


44 


414 


1,507 


128 


261 


i,59« 


20 


7 


27 


17 


46 


460 


1,491 



1880, 
I88I, 
1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 

1887, 



$773 
974 
1,558 
1.520 
1,476 
3,346 
3,210 
3,284 



PLATTE RIVER CONFERENCE. 



1882, 
1883, 
1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



220 


207 


634 


5 


14 


2 


3 


14 


114 


1 
655 


151 


194 


726 


6 


16 


2 


5 


12 


121 


567 


260 


292 


«93 


13 


18 


2 


5 


16 


154 


752 


322 


302 


1,018 


12 


21 


8 


5 


19 


154 


728 


364 


417 


11,91 


14 


25 


12 


8 


19 


208 


1,044 


57s 


695 


1,678 


23 


19 


16 


9 


25 


256 


1,395 



$538 

604 

789 

1,023 

1. 415 
1,168 



DAKOTA CONFERENCE. 



1884, 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 



132 


294 


1,247 


29 


5 


II 


4 


41 


244 


861 


264 


433 


1,575 


25 


3 


13 


5 


49 


318 


1,042 


230 


411 


1,881 


24 


6 


14 


6 


59 


441 


1,562 


240 


393 


2,062 


27 


5 


15 


7 


61 


460 


1,627 



$1,122 

2,182 
3,905 
2,569 



510 



EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 



in 
U 

H 
m 

H 

<: 

H 

< 
I— I 

w 

Q 



•susuiniiD35B3 


NvOt>.tHMi*-NTf 

nT i-T rT vovrToo'oo a^ 


•sassBp popaxiDsiB^ 


. . N t>. ro t>. OsvO t-i 00 


•saBioxiDS 


CO fo vnoo O '^ "^ ^^ 

^ ^ rovo O 'O t^OO 

• • • • • M N ^vO 0^ ►^ t<^vO 


•s.isqoBsi puB saaDigo 


N v£) ""^f O vo r^vo O 

»ONOClOt>«.voTfi-i 
^ O m 00^ vr>vO N 

^vcToo" f<^vo" o" cT t^ 

N4 M N N N 


•Sfooi[os-XBpuns 


rrt -rtOC "-" C\0O ►- t^ 

NOOOvoO'-itrjrf 

^ vnoo M ^ cr> >-t^ ro 

w"" m" i-T n*" rT 


•snpA a^q^qoa^j 


r>.iO'<l-NO»ON>0 

M-VO Tf N 00 O "^ 

^ « m CO Ti- lovo 


•S3§BuosaBtj 


OONOOOONTfOt^ 
•I >-i N ro ■'^ m»i-> 


•anjBA siqBqoj^ 


t^ O O ""i-vO N fOOO 

C» ^C?^ 8 v£> 00 0\ 

in ro Ch ■^ vn o~ t^^MD 
NNOO^tOt^t>.fO 

**■ "-T N N fO fO -^f 


•s3qoinn3 


. . , .tOrl-NvOt>.fr5TtNVC> 

^ PO ro ro t^ to ro N rO 

. . . . fO •^vD t^ 0^ N ^VO 00 


•swqraaiM jo -o^ aioq^ 


mO .O\OC^m'-'ror<iM00 
O O . <-• VO rovo N X N t>* N VO 


•saaxioBajd jiboot; 


. . . »0 t-«.00 00 On On rOvO 00 •^ 
00 NO u-)t^t^O cO« (D 
►1 N N to m rj- vnvO >o VO 


•saaqoBajd lUBjaupi 


vr> . . lO r^ O VO VO u^vo On ro CO 
N ON-^NOOOOiOCOOvrjN 
«-• . . «-" N CO CO T^vO 00 o\ O M 


i 








































Ch CO t^ •-«' lo ^ CO t^,»^ vri tf\ c^ t^ 
C» 00 00 00^00*00^^ X) (»{»'(» 00 00 



BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT. 



THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 



PART in. 

Containing Biographies of Jacob Albright and His 

COLABORERS AND OF BiSHOPS SeYBERT, LoNG, AND OrWIG, 

WITH Briefer Notices of Many Other Ministers of the 
Evangelical Association. 



611* 



Jacob Albright and His Colaborers. 



My thoughts are with the dead, with them, 

I live in long past years, 
Their virtues love, their faults condemn. 

Partake their hopes and fears. 
And from their lessons seek and find 
Instruction, and an humble mind. 

My hopes are with the dead, anon 

My place with them shall be, 
And I with them shall travel on ' • 

Through all eternity, 
Yet leaving here a name I trust 
That will not perish iu the dust. — Southey. 

JACOB ALBRIGHT. 

Near Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pa., at what is locally 
known as the Fox Mountain, was born May i, 1759, Jacob 
Albright, who was singled out in the providence of God to 
inaugurate a work, the influence of which has spread and is 
already felt on three continents, and bids fair to widen in its 
influence with the on-coming years, until its power, as a factor 
in the salvation of the human race, shall be felt in every quarter 
of the globe. 

His father was John Albright, who emigrated from the 
Palatinate, Germany, in 1750. So far as known, his early life 
was uneventful, until his marriage with Catharine Cope, in 
1785, soon after which he removed to West Cocalico town- 
ship, Lancaster county. Pa., where he established himself in 
the business of tile making. In the days of Albright, tiles 
were mostly used for covering buildings, and their manufacture 
was a good and profitable business. In the management of his 
business Albright was industrious and economical, and in 
course of time he was in comfortable circumstances. 

513 



514 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Some particulars of Albright's conversion and the begin- 
ning of his ministry have already been given, and need not 
here be repeated. In his youth he had no literary advantages, 
except such as were afforded by the crude country schools of 
his day. Reading, writing, and the elements of mathematics 
were the branches of education then considered necessary, and 
the acquirement of these constituted Albright's early scholas- 
tic advantages. He was, however, a diligent student, and in 
course of time gained a good stock of general knowledge. He 
was, moreover, a man of good judgment, very discreet in his 
demeanor, punctual in meeting his appointments, and prompt 
in executing his plans.. His oratorical abilities were of a high 
order, and while he may not have possessed the quick and impul- 
sive command over great assemblies of his spiritual son, John 
Walter, his eloquence was of a more refined order and, he 
seldom become boisterous in his preaching. His life was hid 
with Christ in God, and all his deportment was constant proof 
of uninterrupted intercourse with his Master. 

Albright does not seem, in the beginning, to have had the 
least intention of forming a distinct denomination. His heart 
yearned for souls, and this was the secret of his eloquence and 
zeal. His discourses were permeated with Bible truth and di- 
vine unction, as may be inferred from the formal condition of 
the church of his day, his theme was a present, personal sal- 
vation, as embraced in the new birth, justification by faith, 
sanctification, witness of the Holy Spirit, and the enjoyment of 
a personal knowledge of these divine operations and gifts. In 
the presentation of these fundamental evangelical truths his 
soul was filled with a holy fervor, hence his manner of address 
was earnest and persuasive. The eloquence of love is the most 
effective and permanent in its results, hence it is that all who 
came under his ministry retained to their dying day the im- 
pressions made upon them by him. The writer has met many, 
who, at a very advanced age, retained a mental picture of his 
angelic visage, while his words of love were indelibly stamped 
upon their memory. 

A. careful perusal of this work will give the reader an idea 
of the stupendous work of this tireless worker. Although our 
knowledge of a great many of his preaching places is irrecover- 
ably lost, the reader will find more than one hundred indicated 
in this work. These appointments are now embraced within 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 515 

the bounds of twenty-two counties, in the state of Pennsyl- 
vania alone. Most of this territory is in the mountainous por- 
tion of the state, which was little more than a wilderness. 
Many unbridged rivers and mountain torrents had to be forded, 
and numerous spurs and divisions of the Alleghenies had to be 
crossed and recrossed at almost every trip. In this way he 
continued with a tireless and unswerving devotion to scatter the 
good seed in lonely cottages of the poor as well as in the man- 
sions of the rich. In the twelve years of his ministerial career 
about 300 souls were converted under his labors. But who can 
estimate the number saved indirectly through his instrumen- 
tality ? 

It seems almost incredible that in this enlightened age and 
country people should be persecuted, stoned and smitten 
almost unto death, for preaching the Gospel of Christ, yet this 
was the case with many of our first ministers, who were objects 
of hatred to the formal religionists of that period. No one, 
however, was compelled to drink the bitter cup of persecution 
more deeply than Jacob Albright. Already in his first public 
ministration of which we have any definite information, namely, 
at the dedication of the Reformed Church at Shaefferstown, 
in 1796, he narrowly escaped serious injury (See Shaeffers- 
town). In 1799 ^^ preached at the same place, by the way- 
side, to a multitude of people attending a fair at that place, 
when he was set upon by a cruel mob and shamefully mal- 
treated. More dead than alive, he escaped to Father Zent- 
mayer's, who lived about two miles distant, and under whose 
friendly roof he had often found shelter. The circumstances 
of his arrival there are thus given by a son of Zentmayer : 

It was late in the afternoon when a son of Father Z. (our 
informant) saw Albright slowly coming toward their home from 
the direction of Schaefferstown. There seemed to be something 
wrong, and the boy ran to open the gate of the lane leading to 
the barn. Without saying a word, Albright entered the lane. 
His face was covered with blood, his clothing torn and soiled, 
and he was so much injured that he could scarcely sit on his 
horse. Father Zentmayer, who had been absent from home, 
at this moment returned, and he and his son assisted the bruised 
and smitten servant of God from his horse and into the house. 
The boy was sent at once for a physician, who, after an exami- 
nation, pronounced the injuries of a serious nature. For two 



516 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

weeks Albright lay in this friendly home under the care of the 
physician. When he was able to depart, Father Z. and the 
physician informed him that their services to him were gratui- 
tous. Thus, did the Lord, in the dark hour of persecution, 
raise up friends for his servant. Numerous attacks were m-ade 
upon him in various places, but God's protecting providence 
was ever around him. Many instances are given in this work, 
in which he and his colaborers made miraculous escapes from 
the violence of their enemies. 

Through the hardships of constant travel and exposure, the 
germs of consumption were planted in his system, from which 
he suffered very much in the Winter of iSoy-'oS. Notwithstand- 
ing his debilitated condition, nothing could induce him to cease 
his labors. On Easter Day, 1808, he and all his assistants at- 
tended a general meeting at the house of John Brobst, in Al- 
bany township, Berks county, and there he stationed his preachers 
for the last time. His strength had greatly declined, and it was 
observable that his work on earth would soon be done. Eight 
days later he and his colleagues. Miller and Dreisbach, at- 
tended another general meeting at Peter Raidabaugh-s, at 
Linglestown, Dauphin county. There he was so weak that he could 
not preach. He evidently felt that his mission was ended, and 
he gave his ministers the excellent advice elsewhere recorded.* 
As he extended the parting hand to John Dreisbach, he quoted 
for his encouragement the lines, 

' ' Kampfe his aufs blut und leben ; 
Dring hinein in Gottes Reich, '^ 

[^< Fight even unto blood and death ; press into the kingdom of 
God."] From Linglestown Albright started homeward, accom- 
panied by Abraham Walter (brother of Rev. John Walter), 
who was class-leader there. Walter accompanied him as far 
as Jacob Gleim's, who lived a little north of Shaefferstown. 
Gleim then accompanied him to George Becker's, on the 
Muehlbach, three miles further. When he arrived there, he put 
a question to them that must have sent a pang of sorrow to their 
hearts : * * Have you prepared my bed ? I have come here to die. " 
Yes, the bed was ready, for this godly family had a preacher's 
room, which was always in readiness for the weary itinerant, 
and there Jacob Albright laid down his wasted frame to rise no 

* See "The Ministry," 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 517 

more until loving hands carried it to its last resting place. 
There, at the home of Becker, about eleven miles from his 
own home, he finished his great work. On the i8th day of May, 
1808, the gates of the New Jerusalem opened, and he swept 
through triumphantly. Just prior to his death he was asked 
how he felt, and replied : '■^ Happy a7id heavenly,'^ and smilingly 
added, ^^ soo7i I shall be in heaven,^' and soon thereafter fell 
asleep in Jesus. 

After his demise his wife, and his daughter, Sarah, who 
had been sent for, arrived. When met by Mrs. Becker on the 
porch, the poor woman, who did not know as yet that she was a 
widow, asked, ^^ How is he ? " and Mrs. Becker simply replied, 
'* He rests well,^^ and then conducted her to the lifeless form of 
her husband. How eloquent and full of meaning in this con- 
nection were the words of Mrs. Becker ! 

The funeral occasion was a memorable one, and the power 
of God was wonderfully manifested. It was indeed befitting 
that Albright's first spiritual son in the ministry, John Walter, 
should conduct the obsequies. His text was Dan. xii. 3, '^They 
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and 
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. " 
The remains were interred in the Becker family burying ground. 
A plain marble stone, with the following inscription (in Ger- 
man), marks his resting place : 

"To THE Memory of the Evangelical Preacher, 

JACOB ALBRIGHT. 

Was Born, May i, 1759, Died, May 18, 1808, 

Aged, 49 years and 17 days. 

' Precious in the sight of the Lord 
is the death of His saints. ' ' ' 

Of Albright's nine children only one daughter and two 
sons survived him, and one of the sons soon afterward followed 
him to the grave. The surviving son, David, in course of time 
gained possession of the estate, and with him the widow lived, 
and died in 1828. 

Much has been said of the opposition of Albright's wife 
to his work, and the sorrow she caused him. While it is true 
that during life, she was not in harmony with his work, which 
doubtless, lay as a heavy burden upon him, yet she was 
industrious and frugal, and during his years of almost constant 



518 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

absence, she managed the little farm well. On one occasion, 
as he and John Dreisbach started from his home to their ap- 
pointments, he remarked to Dreisbach : '* It gives one pain to 
go out into the world to preach repentance and salvation to the 
people, and one's own people are still unconverted. Still, for 
my Sally I have hopes." He did not live to realize his hopes, 
but God graciously wrought more than he seemingly expected. 
The only daughter, Sarah, married Noah Rank, who later re- 
moved to Tioga county, where the whole family were converted 
and all became members of the Association but one. Two sons, 
Jacob and Richard, became ministers of the Association. The 
former entered the active work of the Eastern Conference in 
1837, spent forty years in the itinerant ranks, and served with 
distinction as presiding elder and General Conference delegate, 
and he has also given a son to the Evangelical ministry. 

In 1826, David, the surviving son of Albright married 
Maria Raidabaugh, with whom he had eleven children, of 
whom nine survive at the present time, (1890.) It will be 
gratifying to the reader to know that the widow of David, who 
is now S$ years of age, and all her children, with their hus- 
bands, and wives and many of her grand-children, are members 
of the Evangelical Association. The best of all remains to be 
told. In an interview which the author had with her in the 
presence of a number of her children, she stated that her 
mother-in-law, the widow of Jacob Albright, while not in sym- 
pathy with his work, never opposed it. After his death his 
words and prayers and godly life were not without their effects 
upon her, and later she came to an experimental knowledge of 
salvation andidentified herself with the Evangelical Association.'^ 

" Go to thy rest ! At noon from labor cease, 

Rest on thy sheaves, thy harvest task is done, 
Come from the heat of battle and in peace, 
Soldier go home ! with thee the fight is won." 

Of the family of John Albright, father of Rev. Jacob Al- 
bright, but little is known. One son, Daniel, who was much 
opposed to the work of his brother Jacob, was once visited by 

*This last statement is very important, from the fact that other authorities 
hold, that Albright's widow lived and died as a member of the Reformed 
Church. When I asked Mother David Albright, how she knew that the 
widow died as a member of the Association, she replied, '"I ought to know, 
because she lived with us and died at our house ! " 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 519 

him. After Jacob's departure, it was discovered it was written 
on the fly leaf of the Bible, the lines, 

" 'Tis better never to be born, 
Than be forever lost. " 

Sometime after 1830, Daniel removed to Bucyrus, Ohio. 
In 185 1, when very aged, he was made the subject of saving 
grace, after a deep and earnest penitential struggle. He often 
spoke of the good counsel of his brother Jacob, and his conver- 
sion was doubtless the result of the precious seeds sown in his 
heart by his sainted brother, nearly a half a century before. 

Another brother of Rev. Jacob Albright was George, -who 
was born 1774. About 1800, he removed to .(now) Beaver- 
town, in Snyder county, where his brother Jacob, often visited 
him, and established preaching places in the vicinity as early as 
1803. In 183 1, George Albright removed to Yeagertown, 
near Lewistown, where he died in 1852. Many descendants re- 
side in that vicinity. He was a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and a highly respected citizen. 

JOHN WALTER. 

John Walter, the first co-laborer of Albright, was born in 
Rockland township, Bucks county. Pa., Aug. 13, 1781. His 
father, Peter Walter, was a higly respected citizen, and was 
one of the first to receive Albright in the beginning of his min- 
istry, and under whose labors the entire family were brought to 
Christ. A close friendship sprang up between the youthful 
John and his spiritual father, who in 1801 took him to his home, 
to teach him the business of tile making. The young man, how- 
ever, felt himself called to the ministry, and the following 
Spring, (1802,) accompanied Albright on his evangelistic trip. 
Of all the co-laborers of Albright, there was none who pos- 
sessed such peculiar traits as John Walter. He was deprived 
of scholastic advantages in youth, so that he could scarcely 
read when he began the work of the ministry, yet he stands as a 
prominent example for the encouragement of all young men 
desiring to enter the ministry, but who have been similarly de- 
prived of literary advantages. With all his heart he followed 
Paul's advice to Timothy: **Give attendance to reading, to 
exhortation, to doctrine, * * 'f^ * meditate upon these things. 
Give thyself wholly to them, that they profiting may appear to 



530 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

all/' I. Tim. 4:13. The mind of Walter was exceedingly 
fertile and many sided. His memory was remarkable, and en- 
abled him to reproduce the various facts and incidents of his 
own experience and operations with great readiness in his ser- 
mons. Many of his sermons evinced a profundity of thought 
and mental grasp. Altogether beyond what would be expected 
from one of his antecedents. His oratorical powers were ex- 
traordinary. His gospel bow was always well strung, and with 
a masterly hand he sent the arrows of truth into the hearts of 
his hearers. It is a great pity that he did not keep a journal of 
his remarkable experiences, but enough has come down to us to 
warrant the assertion, that he has never been surpassed, and 
perhaps never equaled by any minister of the Association, in 
the direct and immediate effects of preaching. We will notice 
a few incidents connected with his wonderful ministry. 

One of his preaching places, in 18 10, was in the court 
house, in York. This was one of the most historic buildings 
in America. The Continental Congress sat there from Sept. 30, 
1777, to May, following, after being driven from Philadelphia 
by the British, and some of the most important measures of the 
Revolution were enacted there. In that historic building Wal- 
ter was wont to pour out his burning eloquence, yea, over the 
very desk on which were signed the Articles of Confederation 
by which the colonies became a nation. Among the regular 
hearers was Rev. J. G. Schmucker, D. D.,* pastor of the Lu- 
theran Church at York, and president of the Synod. He seems 
to have regarded with favor the Evangelical movement then in 
progress. He once listened to a sermon preached by Jacob 
Albright in a graveyard in Lebanon, when the Lutheran Synod 
was in session there. After hearing Walter preach repeatedly, 
this eminent man left this testimony concerning him : *'Had 
Walter had the advantages of scholastic training, he would 
have been one of the foremost preachers of the day." 

Perhaps the most remarkable incident of his ministry oc- 
curred in New Berlin, in August, 1805. In the month of June 
previous, Albright, Walter and Miller made a trip over the 
Northumberland Circuit. On their return from Penn's and 
Buffalo Valley, they stopped at the house of Michael Maize, 
near New Berlin. Walter requested Maize to gain permission 

♦Father of the late Samuel Schmucker, the celebrated theologian. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 521 

for him to preach in a school-house in New Berlin, which 
was done. Many people were averse to his preaching there, 
and after he had filled several appointments, the door was 
closed against him. It was a beautiful moonlight evening in 
August, when Walter came to preach, that he found the door 
securely barred. A great concourse of people awaited further 
developments. Finally, the friends began worship on the street 
in front of the school-house. Walter stood on a large flat 
Stone in front of the door. On the door-step, sat the wife of 
Michael Maize.* On this occasion Walter preached with 
more than ordinary power. His clear, ringing voice was heard 
all over the town, and people listened from windows and open 
doors. When in the midst of his address, a peculiar influence 
came upon both the preacher and his strange audience, and he 
exclaimed with a remarkable outburst of feeling, '^ God has 
opened for Himself a door in New Berlin, and he will build up 
His work here in spite of the opposition of hell and wicked 
men." At this instant a loud report was heard, and the door 
was burst open wide by some unseen agency. The door had 
been secured by a cross-bar inside, and one of the staples with 
which the bar was fastened, was found the next morning on the 
opposite side of the floor. We will not attempt to explain this 
remarkable phenomenon, but of its occurrence there can be no 
doubt. With the statement here given, agrees the testimony of 
witnesses, with some of whom the author was personally ac- 
quainted. The Lord did indeed open a way for His work in 
New Berlin, and it became the headquarters of the church. 

Walter possessed poetical talents of a high order, and his 
hymns became popular in the society. In 1810, he was author- 
ized to publish his hymns in book form, and this was the first 
hymn book of the society, and was used until the authorized 
edition of Dreisbach and Niebel made its appearance. Some 
of Walter's hymns have retained their popularity to the pres- 
ent time, especially the one beginning, 

*' Kommt, Brueder Kommt^ wir eilen fort, 
Nach Neu Jerusalem.''^ 

Owing to incessant labors, Walter's health became seri- 
ously impaired, almost before he reached the prime of man- 

*NoTE — Mrs, Maize had in her arms a babe several months of age, who 
afterwards became the wife of Rev. James Barber. To whom the author is 
indebted for many reminiscences. 



522 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

hood. In 1813 he was unable to take work. He accordingly- 
settled at the Swamp, near his wife^s relatives — the Beckers. 
Later he purchased a small farm near his father, about one mile 
north of the present village of Mt. Nebo, Lebanon county. 
There he waited with Christian fortitude and patience for the 
end, which came Dec. 3, 1818. His age was 37 years, 3 months 
and 6 days. Rev. David Thomas preached his funeral sermon 
from Heb. xiii. 17. He was interred in the family burying 
ground of Adam Faber, near by. His grave is under a pine 
tree, and is marked by a rough, angular stone, without inscrip- 
tion. Soon after his death his widow returned to her parental 
home, where in a little house on the lawn of her brother Sam- 
uel, Becker's home, she lived forty-nine years. She was in- 
deed a consistent and happy Christian, and with hope un- 
dimmed awaited the time of her departure, which came March 
12, 1868. Her age was 88 years, i month and 22 days. She was 
buried in the Samuel Becker graveyard. 

GEORGE MILLER. 

George Miller was born Feb. 16, 1774, in Pottstown, 
Montgomery county. Pa. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth 
Miller, were strict members of the Lutheran Church. When 
George was still a child, they removed to Alsace township, 
Berks county, where the father died in 1784. From his pa- 
rents George received a strict moral training, and when at the 
age of sixteen, he attended a course of catechetical instruction 
at Reading, his mind became deeply exercised with regard to 
his salvation. Deep as was his concern, he had no true spirit- 
ual adviser ; so in course of time he became indifferent, his 
mind became shrouded with doubts, and he was driven to the 
verge of unbelief. In this extremity he prayed God to save him 
from this danger, promising that he would serve Him. 

In 1798 he purchased a mill property in Schuylkill county, 
and the same year heard a sermon preached by Jacob Albright 
from the words, " Behold I set before you the way of life and 
the way of death," (Jer. xxi. 8.) God's word so affected his 
heart that he clung to a table to keep himself from sinking to 
the floor. After the services he conversed with Albright, who 
said to him, *^ You must diligently pray, and humble yourself, 
and bear the cross for Christ's sake, and believe with all your 
heart, and you will soon find pardon." This led him to seek 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 523 

the Lord more earnestly. Still he failed at that time to realize 
the pardon of his sins. In 1800, he married Magdalena 
Brobst, whose father was proprietor of an iron forge in Albany- 
township, Berks county. For several years the cares of the 
world burdened him, and there was no material change in his 
spiritual condition. In 1802 it pleased the Lord to send His 
servant Jacob Albright to him, on his way to an appoint- 
ment. His earnest prayers and godly counsels again awoke 
the deepest feelings in Miller's heart, and the next day he ac- 
companied Albright to his appointment at Zimmerman's, ten 
miles distant. The way thither was occupied in spiritual con- 
versation, and the sermon seemed specially adapted to Mil- 
ler's spiritual needs, and he was led to see more clearly his 
true condition. On June 3, 1803, after a day of prayerful 
wrestling with God, he was wonderfully saved. In the Fall of 
this year he and his brother Solomon attended a general meet- 
ing at the house of Jacob Phillips, in Northampton county. 
The Lord poured out His Spirit upon them in copious measure, 
and they were wonderfully blessed, and from that time fully 
identified themselves with the Evangelical work, and their 
homes became regular preaching places. Others in the neigh- 
borhood were soon afterwards converted, and a class was 
formed, of which Miller was made the leader. 

The bitterest persecution was now directed against Miller. 
An unconverted pastor urged his congregation to break up the 
work by force, otherwise he would resign his charge. Another 
pastor went to his house one Sunday with upwards of thirty of 
his flock to convince him of the error of his way. Failing in 
this, he became very violent, and his followers became heartily 
ashamed of his conduct. The evil-disposed, however, after- 
wards gave vent to their hatred by breaking his windows and 
damaging his mill flume. He was forbidden to cross the church 
property, over which a road led to one of his fields, and if he 
ventured to do so, the school teacher attacked him with stones 
and clubs. Many of his customers refused to patronize him 
any longer. Debtors refused to pay their bills. He was sev- 
eral times smitten without being able to get redress at the hands 
of the law. Once when Albright preached at his house an at- 
tack was made upon them by a great mob with stones and clubs. 

In April, 1805, Miller entered the active work of the min- 
istry under the immediate direction of Albright. His first 



524 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

labors were mostly confined to the old circuit. This was a year 
of unprecedented trial for him. Besides the terrible persecution 
directed against him, he passed through an ordeal of doubt re- 
specting his call to the ministry, and was at times almost over- 
come by a strong temptation to abandon the work. At one 
time when his temptations were severest, Albright, as though 
directed by providence, came to his relief from a long distance. 
Miller revealed to him his great trials, and harrassing doubts, 
and told him he could preach no longer, as the burden was too 
great. Albright merely smiled and said, ''Come, let us go 
aside and pray with each other." They retired to a grove and 
there together poured out their hearts to God for help. Albright 
then said, ''You must not surrender the Scriptures to the devil, 
but hold them fast and resist him therewith." He further ex- 
horted him to seek a closer fellowship with God and be entire 
submission to His will as the only safeguard against the assaults 
of the devil and the opposition of a wicked world. 

After severe heart-searching and renewed consecration to 
God's service, Miller resumed the work with greater zeal. On 
May 25, 1806, he received directions from Albright to labor on 
the new, or Northumberland Circuit, which then embraced all 
of the work West of the Susquehanna River. On this vast field 
he served appointments scattered over a territory now embraced 
by ten counties. He labored with a zeal and devotion unsur- 
passed in the history of the church. Great revivals took place 
all over the circuit. Over one hundred members were received, 
which almost doubled the membership of the Association. Six 
new classes were organized. Among the converts were Chris- 
tian Spangler, John Dreisbach, John Thomas, Jr., Christian 
Wolf, Michael Maize, Henry Nieble and Jacob Frey, all of 
whom became ministers within a short time, and doubled the 
ministerial force of the society. The third year of his ministry 
was devoted to the old circuit, and his fourth to the new, which 
year ended his service in the active ranks. 

On Christmas eve, 1808, while Miller and his coUegue, 
John Dreisbach, were filling an appointment at the house of a 
Methodist brother in Juniata county, he had a remarkable 
dream, which he related to Dreisbach, and told him he had a 
premonition of coming illness. The following day, however, he 
preached twice, that night became very ill, as predicted, and as 
soon as he was able, started for his home in Albany, Berks 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 525 

county, and his place in the itinerant ranks was vacant forever. 

Although his health was shattered as the result of his itin- 
erancy, Miller continued to serve the church with all the 
strength at his command. He was directed by the conference 
to prepare the book of Discipline for the society, a task com- 
mitted to Albright, but cut short by his death. Miller under- 
took the work, and before the close of 1809 the book was issued, 
and proved a great blessing. His life was graciously prolonged, 
and in the course of time he published a work entitled *' Prac- 
tical Christianity," which was published by order of the confer- 
ence in 1814. This little book has been a blessing to thousands. 
Near the close of his life he wrote a brief biography of Albright, 
as well as his own, which was completed a few months previous 
to his death. 

Miller was by occupation a miller, and also had some 
land connected with his business in Schuylkill county. Later 
he removed to Allemangel, in Albany township, Berks county. 
There the second annual conference was held in his house 
(1809). In the fall of 1810 the second camp-meeting of the 
Association was held on his land. In May, 1812, he sold his 
home and purchased a farm in Dry Valley, Union county, a 
few miles below New Berlin, whither he removed. 

In the Spring of 1815 Miller^s health failed rapidly, but 
he lingered until April 5, 1816, when he exchanged the cross for 
the crown, aged 42 years, i month and 19 days. At his obse- 
quies Henry Nieble officiated, choosing as a text, *' Because 
thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee 
from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the 
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. iii. 10. 

Miller was tall and angular, with long, smoothly shaven 
face, and high cheekbones and black hair. His grave near the 
lower entrance of the New Berlin cemetery is marked by a plain 
marble stone, with brief German inscription. 

JOHN DREISBACH. 

John Dreisbach, was born in Buffalo Valley, Union 
county. Pa., June 5, 1789. His parents were Martin and 
Sabina Fredrica Dreisbach, who were among the first west of 
the Susquehanna River to open their house as a preaching 
place for Jacob Albright. Of this eminent family the reader 
will find a more extensive account in this work. 



526 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

In 1806 John Dreisbach became a subject of saving grace, 
during a revival which Albright and his collegues held in his 
father's house. On the day of Pentecost, 1807, he attended a 
General meeting in Penn's Valley, at which he received from 
the hands of Jacob Albright a license as a minister of the 
gospel. In November of the same year he attended the first 
conference of the church, held at the home of Samuel Becker, 
on the Muehlbach. There he entered the active work and was 
appointed to the Old, or Schuylkill Circuit, with George Mil- 
ler as colleague. This field comprised nearly all of South 
Eastern Pennsylvania and had upwards of forty appointments, 
some of which were from thirty to forty miles apart. On 
Easter day, 1808, Albright stationed his little band of evan- 
gelists for the last time, and appointed George Miller and 
John Dreisbach to the New or Northumberland Circuit. This 
field was even more extensive than the old, and comprised ap- 
pointments in the present counties of Union, Snyder, Centre, 
Mifflin, Northumberland, Montour, Luzerne, Columbia and 
Juniata. 

On Christmas day, 1808, Dreisbach's colleague. Miller, 
became very ill, and soon after departed for his home in Berks 
county, leaving this great field, now embracing over twenty 
charges of the Central Pa. Conference, entirely in the care of 
the youthful itinerant. In 1809 he was placed in charge of the 
old circuit again, with Mathias Betz and Henry Niebel as 
colleagues. A few months after the session of conference he 
was ordained as elder at the house of Henry Eby, near Leba- 
non. He was then but twenty years of age. In 1810 he again 
was placed in charge of Northumberland Circuit. During this 
year he met Bishop Asbury, of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, near Halifax, Dauphin county. Asbury proposed a 
union of the society with his denomination. His conditions, 
however, were such that Bro. D. could not approve of them. 
In 181 1 he served the newly formed Franklin Circuit, which 
comprises the counties of York, Adams, Cumberland and 
Franklin in Pennsylvania, and Washington and Carroll counties 
in Maryland. This year he labored with especial success, and 
a number of new classes were formed. In 18 12, with Robert 
McCray as colleague, he was sent as missionary to the central 
part of New York, but for reasons elsewhere noted, he returned 
and labored on Northumberland Circuit the remainder of the 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 527 

year. In 1813, with Adam Henning as colleague, he was sent 
to form a new circuit west of the Allegheny Mountains, in 
which they were remarkably successful. 

At the conference of 18 14, which which was held in his 
father's house, and of which he was chairman, Dreisbach was 
elected as the first presiding elder of the Society, which then 
numbered thirteen traveling preachers and one thousand and 
sixteen members. He discharged his duties with great ac- 
ceptance until 182 1, when he was compelled to locate because 
of the complete breaking down ot his health. Thereafter he 
followed farming on his place, which adjoined that of his 
father's in Buffalo Valley. 

On Oct. 9, 1827, Bro. Dreisbach was elected as a **Jack- 
sonian," to the State Legislature. He discharged his duties 
with such fidelity that he was re-elected. 

In 1 83 1, Dreisbach removed to Pickaway county, O., where 
his house became a regular preaching place. In the Fall and 
Winter of 1839-40, and also 185 1, he served as supply on Pick- 
away Circuit. In 1853 he served Dayton, and in 1854, Chilli- 
cothe Mission until October of that year, when he was elected 
editor of the Evangelical Messenger. On March 18, 1857, he 
resigned because of his many infirmities, and removed to Cir- 
cleville, O., where he spent the evening of his life peacefully 
and quietly and with Christian fortitude awaited the time of his 
departure. After a period of great suffering the welcome sum- 
mons came, Aug. 20, 1871, and the last co-worker of Albright, 
was gathered to his illustrious compeers, at the age of 82 years, 
2 months, and 15 days. His wife Fanny, died in 1876, aged 
85 years. (See Ever). 

Dreisbach possessed literary abilities of a high order, 
which proved a great blessing to the church. In 1809 he pub- 
lished a German Catechism. In 18 16 he and Henry Niebel 
prepared and published the first authorized hymn book, and 
also greatly improved the Discipline, by direction of the con- 
ference, which duty they were also directed to perform in 1830. 
Dreisbach's numerous articles in the German and English or- 
gans of the church, attest his desire for her welfare. They give 
evidence of much thought and careful preparation. He espe- 
cially excelled as a poet, and many of his hymns, especially in 
the German, found a permanent place in the hymnology of the 
church. 



528 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Dreisbach was a man of progress. He lived to see the so- 
ciety grow from a handful of seventy-five members, to almost 
one hundred thousand, and during all this long period of almost 
three-quarters of a century he was the advocate of progressive 
methods and measures. In February, 1846, he published in the 
Botschafter the cut and explanation of a seal which he had de- 
vised, and which was adopted as the seal of the society. 

He was the friend of higher education. In the Botschafter of 
1845, page 118, appeared a remarkable letter from him entitled : 
** Ministers and teachers should not be ignorant." This was 
the beginning of a discussion on higher education, which was 
continued for several years in that periodical, the general result 
of which was the creation of a strong sentiment in favor of in- 
stitutions of learning. At the General Conference of 1847, at 
New Berlin, Pa., Dreisbach introduced the first resolution for 
the establishment of such an institution in the church, which led 
to the founding of Union Seminary, now Central Pennsylvania 
College, at New Berlin, several years afterwards. 

It was a matter of general regret that Dreisbach's precari- 
ous health precluded his elevation to the Episcopacy. Gladly, 
indeed, would the church, which he helped to plant and de- 
velop, have honored him with the office, which he was well com- 
petent to fill, but he felt physically unable to perform the ardu- 
ous duties of the office. His place as one of the founders and 
pillars of the Evangelical Association is nevertheless assured. 




First three bishops of the Evangelical Association : 
Joseph Long. John Seybert, W. W. Orwig, 



Bishops Seybert, Long and Or^A^ig. 



JOHN SEYBERT. 

During the Revolutionary War, the British brought to 
America several thousand Hessian mercenaries to aid in the 
war against the revolted colonies. Among these Germans was 
a lad of fifteen years, named Henry Seybert, who, at the 
close of the war decided to remain in America, and settled near 
Manheim, Lancaster county. Pa. In 1790 he was married, by 
the distinguished Dr. Henry Muehlenberg, to Susan Kreuzer. 
Their first child, the subject of this sketch, was born July 7, 
1 79 1. Other children were Henry, Christian and David. 
In March, 1806, Henry Seybert died, leaving an estate of 
one hundred and seven acres, which afforded a comfortable 
living for the widow and her two sons, John and David, the 
other two children having died. 

In the vicinity of Manheim were several places where the 
early preachers of the Evangelical Association had appoint- 
ments and where John Seybert, then grown to maturity, 
heard the doctrine of the new birth from the lips of our first 
preachers. In 1809-18 10 the Lancaster Circuit was served by 
John Dreisbach and Matthias Betz. On the 15 th of April 
Betz preached his valedictory sermon in the vicinity of Man- 
heim, preparatory to going to conference. Young Seybert 
attended this meeting. The preached word wrought powerfully 
upon him, and he was brought under deep conviction and was 
soon thereafter converted. Seybert's occupation was that of 
a cooper, to which he applied himself very industriously. Still 
he found time after his conversion to attend the meetings far 
and wide, and soon became known as a most devoted Chris- 
tian. Soon after his conversion he was appointed exhorter of 
the Manheim Class by Dreisbach, and soon after that, he was 
elected class leader. So conscientious was he, that the class at 

529 



530 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Mt. Joy, about eight miles distant, also elected him as their 
leader, and he served in that capacity for both classes a num- 
ber of years. 

In 1819, Seybert was licensed to preach. He records that 
his first text was I. John iii. 8-9. On Sept. 12, 1820, he 
entered the active ministry in place of John Klinefelter, who 
had become sick while serving Lancaster Circuit. In 182 1 he 
served Union Circuit; 1822, Canton Circuit, Ohio; 1823, 
Schuylkill Circuit; 1824, York Circuit; 1825, elected presiding 
elder and appointed to Canaan District. In 1829 he was re- 
elected and stationed on Salem District. In 1833 he refused 
a re-election, prefering rather to labor as a pioneer missionary. 
He was accordingly appointed to organize a new field in the 
northwestern part of Pennsylvania. His labors on this field 
were remarkably successful. Much of this region was then a 
wilderness with settlements few and far between, and involved 
great hardships and privations on the part of the missionary. 
Sebyert established the Evangelical work in five counties and 
organized seven classes this year. At the following conference 
session he was again re-elected presiding elder, and again in 
1838. At the General Conference of 1839 he was elected the 
first bishop of the Evangelical Association, in the proper sense 
of the word, and was successfully re-elected to the office until 
his death.* 

Bishop Seybert stands unique in the history of the Evan- 
gelical Association, and it is questionable whether the Protest- 
ant Church has ever produced a more consecrated, earnest, 
tireless worker than he. He repeatedly expressed a desire to 
." die in the harness,'^ and literally wore himself out in the ser- 
vice of the Lord and Master. His zeal for God burned with an 
ever increasing fervor upon the altar of his heart. In 1837 he 
records in his journal the pleasing fact that an increasing mis- 

*NoTE. — As elsewhere noticed, the founder of the church, Jacob Albright, 
was himself elected to this office at the first conference of the Society in 1807, 
and was therefore its first bishop. Both, W. W. Orwig, the first historian of 
the Evangelical Association, and S. Neitz, the biographer of Bishop Seybert, 
agree that inasmuch as Jacob Albright was elected to the office but a short 
time prior to his death, and also before the introduction of the Discipline, 
which sets forth our articles of faith and principles of government, and defines 
the character and functions of the Episcopacy in the Association, therefore, Sey- 
bert is rightfully called the first bishop of the Evangelical Association within 
the meaning, and under the provisions of the Discipline. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 531 

sionary spirit was observable in the church and adds, ''Accord- 
ing to all appearances I must now bestir myself lest I be set in 
the background. I herewith serve notice that I am not to be 
looked for in the rear end of the race, but must be sought for 
pretty well in the front, where the ice is being broken." This 
sentiment well expresses his true character. He was a famous 
spiritual ice-breaker and path-finder. 

During the period of his ministry this indomitable servant 
of God traveled about one hundred and seventy-five thousand 
miles, made about forty-six thousand pastoral visits, attended 
about eight thousand prayer- and class-meetings, visited about 
ten thousand sick, and preached almost ten thousand times. 

The personal appearance of Bishop Seybert was striking 
and peculiar. He was of medium size, somewhat spare, with 
prominent chin, blue eyes, high forehead and smooth face. 
He was restless and nervous, n^ver idle. Even down to the end 
of his life he continued to travel in his light, open conveyance, 
rather than by railroad. His object, as he said, was that he 
might call on the friends, and preach to the small societies, 
while on his way to some point. 

He was a strict temperance man, and advocated, both in pri- 
vate and public, the most advanced temperance sentiments, in 
a day when it required greater moral courage than at the pres- 
ent time. He was decidedly opposed to the use tobacco, and 
earnestly admonished both the ministry and laity against 
its use. 

His liberality was proverbial. He practiced the most rigid 
self-denial and economy, that he might give the more to good 
purposes, and when he died it was found that he had bequeathed 
all his estate to the church he loved so well. 

The evening shadows at last fell upon his pathway, and 
his physical powers began to abate rapidly. At the General 
Conference of 1859 it was noticed that he was very feeble. He 
had served the church as bishop twenty years. It was plainly 
evident that the old hero could not do battle much longer, and 
it was deemed prudent to elect an additional bishop. Both he 
and Bishop Long, who had been his coadjutor since 1843, 
were re-elected, and W. W. Orwig was newly elected. Soon 
after the close of the General Conference he revisited many of 
the old charges in the Illinois Conference. Nov. 7th he started 
for the East, as usual in his conveyance, preaching and visiting 



533 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

as he passed through Indiana, and Michigan. Dec. 4th, he 
reached the State of Ohio, Dec. i8th, he preached his last ser- 
mon at Lindsay, O., and attended the dedication of the new 
church on Christmas, but did not officiate. Dec. 29, he reached 
the residence of Isaac Parker, near Bellevue, O. There he 
stopped his horse for the last time, alighted, and taking his sad- 
dle bags he entered the house greatly exhausted. His intention 
was to rest a few days and then proceed on his journey. Jan. 
4th, (i860,) he arose after sleeping fairly well, and partook of 
some breakfast with the rest. At the table he related a dream 
which he had that night. He said he dreamed of meeting a 
great number of preachers, who were delighted at his coming. 
The number was so great that it seemed impossible to shake 
hands with them all. After telling this dream he retired to a 
lounge. 

There was something so unearthly in the demeanor of the 
bishop, and he was so pitiably feeble that his host became con- 
cerned about him and at once went to call in a neighbor. Soon 
after Parker had left the room, the bishop said, *^How terrible 
death must be to a wicked man." A little later he remarked 
that death begins at the extremities, and when it reaches the 
heart, it is over, and said that so he would die. He had scarcely 
said this when he fell over on the lounge on which he was sitting. 

TAe bishop was dead ! He died with his armor on, in the 
heat of the battle, as he had desired. He fought a good fight, 
and the great multitude of whom he had dreamed in reality 
greet him with rejoicing, while the Master said, *^Well done, 
thou good and faithful servant," and placed on his brow the 
victor's crown. 

On Jan. 6th his mortal remains were laid to rest at Flat 
Rock, O., near when he died, on which occasion Bishop Long 
preached an eloquent funeral sermon from the words, *♦ And 
they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever 
and ever." (Dan. xii. 3.) A fine monument marks the grave. 
His age was 68 years, 5 months and 28 days. The reader need 
hardly be told that Bishop Seybert was never married. He 
remained single that he might better devote himself to his 
Master's work. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 533 

JOSEPH LONG. 

Joseph Long was born in Dauphin county, Pa., Oct. 21, 1800. 
His father, Killian Long, removed to Columbiana county, 
Ohio, when Joseph was still a youth. When the Evangelical 
work was established in Ohio, in 18 16, the family came under 
the influence of her ministry, and the following year they were 
converted to God. Joseph was then seventeen years of age. 
His conversion was thorough, and evinced itself at once in his 
zeal and devotion to the Lord's cause. 

He entered the ministry of the church in 1822, and served 
as follows : 1822, Somerset; 1823, Franklin; 1824-25, Lancas- 
ter, Ohio; 1826, Mansfield; 1827, Canton; 1828, elected 
chairman of the Western Conference and presiding elder of the 
conference district ; 1830, president of the General Conference ; 
1832, re-elected presiding elder ; 1833, located because of fam- 
ily circumstances ; 1841, again entered the work and was ap- 
pointed to Harmony Circuit; 1842, Canton Circuit; 1843, 
elected presiding elder and stationed on Tabor District of the 
Western or Ohio Conference. 

In the Autumn of 1843, the first General Conference, com- 
posed of regularly elected delegates convened at Greensburg, 
Ohio, at which time Joseph Long was elected bishop, and be- 
came the coadjutor of John Seybert. He was thereafter regu- 
larly re-elected to the office until his death. 

Bishop Long was in every way a remarkable man. In the 
pulpit he was a master. His speech was somewhat slow and 
measured, but became more animated as he advanced in the 
sermon. Sometimes he became impressively grand and elo- 
quent in his discourses. He was one of the profoundest think- 
ers the church has ever had. With mental endowments of the 
highest order and a life of very close fellowship with God, he 
was able to present the truth with overwhelming force and 
power. At conference sessions his sermons were especially im- 
pressive and powerful. In 1857, at the session of the East Pa. 
Conference, in New York City, he preached an ordination ser- 
mon from Acts xx: 18, '*Take heed therefore unto yourselves, 
and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you 
overseers to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased 
with His own blood.'* This sermon was described by hearers 
as having been overwhelmingly grand and impressive. The 



534 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

great deep of almost every heart was broken up. Fathers in Is- 
rael wept like children, and many vows of fidelity were re- 
corded in heaven as the result of that sermon. 

Bishop Long possessed executive abilities of a high order. 
He was shrewd and far-seeing, and a good judge of human na- 
ture. He did not form conclusions hastily, but weighed in a 
deliberate and impartial manner all the circumstances upon 
which his judgments rested. He was no man-pleaser, but dis- 
charged with scrupulous fidelity his duties towards all men, as 
he understood them. His strict demeanor bordered on stern-, 
ness, and his sharp rebukes sometime caused pain even to his 
most intimate friends. It was necessary to study him in order 
to understand him. Behind the caustic speech and sharp re- 
buke was a heart full of tenderness and love. He was a true 
man, as all who knew him acknowledged. Beneath that seem- 
ing stern and impassive exterior the elements of a noble man- 
hood held full sway. 

Bishop Long was a great friend and patron of learning. Al- 
though in youth he was denied the scholastic advantages so de- 
sirable to one of his position, he greatly overcame this defi- 
ciency by a very thorough and varied course of study. He was 
well versed in the great civil and religious questions of his day. 
He encouraged young ministers to a broad and liberal course of 
study. He was the principal instrument in the establishment of 
Greensburg Seminary, and on him the chief responsibilities of 
its management rested. When in course of time the institution 
failed financially, he purchased it and continued its existence, 
at a heavy expense to himself. In like manner all the interests 
of the Evangelical Association were dear to his heart, especially 
the missionary cause. He endeavored at all times to promote 
a missionary spirit in every quarter of the church. 

Bishop Long was over six feet tall, somewhat spare in body, 
with high forehead, and a very positive expression of counte- 
nance. He possessed a somewhat choleric temperament, the 
influence of which dominated his general demeanor. In the 
pulpit his appearance was solemn, commanding, and impressive. 
His movements and gestures were becoming and well timed. 

Bishop Long was married to Catherine Hoy, a daughter 
of Daniel and Mollie Hoy, of Fairfield county, Ohio. As 
elsewhere noticed, the Hoys were among the first members of 
the Evangelical Association in Ohio. Mrs. Hoy was a daughter 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 535 

of that prominent Evangelical and friend of Albright, Abram 
Ever.* After sharing the vicissitudes of her husband's life al- 
most half a century, Mrs. Long died, May 12, 1869. 

The health of the bishop was greatly shattered in conse- 
quence of the great hardships he endured in the itinerancy, from 
the effects of which he suffered greatly in after years. When he 
was re-elected for the last time, in 1867, he was comparatively 
feeble, and thereafter performed his official duties with difficulty. 
The death of his faithful companion was a severe blow, and his 
enfeebled frame gave way rapidly under manifold bodily ail- 
ments and domestic bereavements. June 23, 1869, only forty- 
two days after the departure of his companion. Bishop Long 
breathed his last at the home of his son-in-law, Rev. A. Stah- 
LEY, at Forreston, 111., at the age of 68 years, 8 months, and 2 
days. His family consisted of three sons and three daughters. 
His obsequies took place June 26. Rev. Henry Rohland 
preached the funeral sermon in the German language, from II. 
Tim. iv:7-8, and Rev. D. B. Byers preached in English, Daniel 
xii:i3. 

WILLIAM W. ORWIG. 

William W. Orwig was born at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill 
county. Pa., Sept. 25, 1810. In his early youth his parents re- 
moved to Buffalo Valley, Union county. Pa. In 1826 he and 
a young friend, Daniel Brickley, attended a camp-meeting at 
John Walter's, three miles south of New Berlin. They bowed 
at the altar together, were converted, and became eminent her- 
alds of the cross. Orwig entered the Eastern Conference in 
1S28, when but eighteen years of age. He at once took high rank 
among his brethren, and in 1833 was elected presiding elder. 
At the special General Conference of 1836, he was elected gen- 
eral publishing agent and editor of the newly established Christ- 
liche Botschafter, assuming editorial charge in 1837. In 1839 
he was relieved of the duties as publisher, and continued as edi- 
tor until 1844, when he again entered the itinerancy, serving 
1844-45, York, Pa.; 1846-47, Baltimore, Md. ; 1848-49, Balti- 
more Mission. 

In July, 1849, Orwig was elected by the standing Book Com- 
mittee, editor of the Christliche Botschafter, in place of N. 
Gehr, who had withdrawn from the church. In 1850 the West 

* See Dry Valley, also Lancaster Circuit, Ohio. 



586 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Pa. Conference confirmed the election. In the Spring of 1854, 
with the removal of the establishment to Cleveland, O., he re- 
signed and removed to Carlisle, Pa., where he devoted himself 
to writing the history of the Evangelical Association. In 1856 
he became president of the Union Seminary, at New Berlin, Pa., 
and continued until the General Conference of 1859, when he 
was elected bishop. In 1863 he was again elected editor of the 
Christliche Botschafter. In 1867 he was elected general book 
agent, but resigned in 1869, because of impaired health, after 
which he served several years as treasurer of the Missionary 
Society. He was engaged in literary labors for several years. 
In 1876 he became a member of the newly formed Erie Confer- 
ence, in which he served as an itinerant and presiding elder a 
number of years. Orwig was the most prolific author of his 
church in his time. Besides assisting in the revision and com- 
pilation of the German and English hymn books and other 
works, he, in 1846, published a catechism, which for over a 
quarter of a century was the standard in the church. In 1856, 
he completed his history of the Evangelical Association. In 
1862 appeared his " Heilsfuelle,"a work on holiness, in 1876 his 
''Pastoral Theology,*' and in 1882 a volume of sermons. 

No one in the Evangelical Association has done more for its 
establishment and development than W. W. Orwig. His gifts 
were manifold, and all were given to the service of the church. 
He was one of the foremost in promoting all her interests and 
institutions. He was one of the founders of the missionary 
society and other church enterprises. The literary and pub- 
lishing interests of the church owe more to his talents and en- 
ergy, perhaps, than those of any other person, and his in- 
fluence will be felt for many years to come. 

Orwig was united in marriage with Susanna Rishel, of 
Centre county. Pa., who survived him. One son, Aaron W. 
became a minister in the church, while one daughter was mar- 
ried to Rev. J. Bowersox, another to Rev. E. A. Hoffman, and 
a third to Rev. S. L. Wiest. 

Orwig died in great peace in Cleveland, O., May 29, 1889. 
His last words were, ''I think I have done my duty. God 
bless you." More than thirty ministers of the Evangelical As- 
sociation were in attendance at his funeral on which occasion 
Bishop R. Dubs delivered a memorial discourse. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 587 

BRIEFER SKETCHES OF SAINTED MINISTERS. 

Matthias Betz was converted under the labors of Al- 
bright and Miller, at Millheim, Centre county, Pa., in 1806. 
He entered the ministry in 1809, and labored with remarkable 
success until his death in the Autumn 1813. He was at that 
time preacher in charge of the extensive Northumberland Cir- 
cuit, which embraced all of Central Pennsylvania. He died of 
pneumonia, at Boalsburg, at the early age of thirty-one years, 
and was buried in the Presbyterian graveyard, near the present 
town of Lemont, Centre county. It is a matter of great regret 
that his grave is unknown. Bishop John Seybert was con- 
verted through his instrumentality, in Lancaster county in 1810. 

James Barber was bom in Manor township, Lancaster 
county, Pa., April 22, 1797 ; converted in 1815 ; entered the 
active ministry in 1817; was elected presiding elder, and sta- 
tioned on Salem District in 1823 ; was chosen president of the 
conference in 1827. Barber was a man of large frame and 
commanding appearance, with excellent voice, a preacher of 
more than ordinary ability, and held in high esteem by his 
brethren. He spent over thirty years in the active work. His 
arduous labors completely undermined his health and he was 
compelled, much against his will, to locate. He suffered much 
for many years and finally died of paralysis, Sept. 19, 1867. 
His wife Mary, daughter of Michael Maize, of Dry Valley, 
Union county. Pa., died in 1870, aged sixty-five years. Both 
are buried in the Evangelical cemetery at New Berlin, Pa. 

Samuel Baumgarduer was born near Johnstown, Pa., 
entered the active ministry of the Eastern Conference in 1832 ; 
joined the Ohio Conference several years later; was elected 
presiding elder in 1843 and stationed on the newly formed Illi- 
nois District, and continued in that office until his sudden 
death by cholera, in the house of John Harbach, Bureau county, 
111., Aug. 17, 185 1, in the forty- third year of his age. He was 
one of the most devoted and tireless ministers of the Evangeli- 
cal Association, and his death was felt to be a great loss to the 
church. 

Jacob Boas was bom in Reading, Pa., Nov. 15, 1815, con- 
verted in youth, and in 1833 entered the active ministry of the 
Eastern Conference. In 1836, while in charge of Erie Circuit, 
he introduced protracted meetings. The following year he was 



538 ENANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

sent to Illinois, where he laid the foundations of the Evangelical 
work. In 1840 he was sent to Baltimore, Md., v/here he 
founded the work and met with great success. In 1848 he was 
elected presiding elder in the West Pa., (now Central Pa.,) 
Conference, and served two terms. He located and settled in 
Carlisle, Pa., became effective in 1872, served ten years more, 
and died in Carlisle, April 4, 1884, in his sixty-ninth year, 
leaving a widow and five children, his eldest daughter being the 
wife of Rev. J. M. Ettinger. Boas was a man of fine appear- 
ance, a good preacher, equally effective in the English and the 
German languages. 

George Adam Blank was born in Berks county, Pa., in 
1822 ; entered the Ohio Conference in 1841, became a member 
of the Illinois Conference ; was elected presiding elder in 1850 ; 
was a member of the Indiana Conference a short time ; again 
elected presiding elder in 1855, serving Milwaukee District. He 
was an original member of the Wisconsin Conference, in which 
he continued as presiding elder until his death, Feb. 5, 1861, 
at the age of thirty-nine years. Blank was one of the most de- 
voted and energetic of men and his death was greatly lamented. 

Thomas Buck was bom in Lancaster county, Pa., Jan. 
27, 1789, was converted in youth, and became a member of the 
church. In 1823 he entered the active ministry, and in a few 
years was regarded as one of the leading men of the church. 
In 1828, he was elected presiding elder and was re-elected in 
1832. In 1834 he located, but re-entered the active ranks in 
1838, and was again elected presiding elder. In the Spring of 
1842 he was elected publisher, but died Oct. 26th, of that year, 
and was buried in the Evangelical cemetery at New Berlin, Pa. 
He was president of the conference from 1829 to 1833 inclu- 
sive, and president of the General Conference in 1839. His 
services to the church were very important. His abilities as a 
preacher were eminent. He was a strict disciplinarian, border- 
ing on the severe, yet withal, kind hearted and considerate, es- 
pecially to beginners. His sudden death cast a great gloom 
over the entire church, and it was felt that a Master in Israel 
had fallen. He gave two sons to the ministry of the church, 
S. T. and H. W. Buck, of the Central Pa. Conference, the lat- 
ter being three terms elected presiding elder. 

John Breidensteill was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 
1795. His father removed to Lebanon county and opened his 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 539 

house as a preaching place for Albright and his colleagues. 
Here John was converted in youth, entered the ministry in 1818, 
and became one of the most devoted preachers the church has 
€ver had. His sermons were profound and powerful. He was 
especially adapted to sow the seed, and his successors nearly 
everywhere had great revivals, of which Orwigsburgh is an ex- 
ample. He was never in robust health and after six years of 
service he took a local relation, but continued to labor as cir- 
cumstances permitted. For the last twelve years of his life he 
was blind. He died on the old homestead near Lebanon, Oct. 
22, 1878, aged eighty-three years. 

Moses Disslnger was born in Shaefferstown, Lebanon 
county, Pa., March 17, 1824. This man was in some respects 
unrivalled in the church. He was the very embodiment of pe- 
culiarities. His manners, speech, sermons, everything about 
him, bore the stamp of his marked individuality. Notwith- 
standing his irresistible humor and grotesque manner he was 
a good preacher and a highly useful man. In 1854 he was li- 
censed to preach by the East Pa. Conference, and two years 
thereafter entered the active ranks, in which he did valiant ser- 
vice for twenty-seven years, filling some of the most important 
appointments of his native conference during twenty-three 
years, after which, in 1879, he took work in the Kansas Con- 
ference, where he served four years. After severe suffering he 
died, in Douglass county, Kansas, Jan. 25, 1883, in the fifty- 
ninth year of his age. An interesting volume might be written 
about this eccentric son of the church, whose quaint manners 
and sayings will long be the theme of conversation around thou- 
sands of firesides. He was a strong advocate of temperance, 
and his discourses on that subject were unique and very effective. 
During the Civil War he was a radical Unionist, and delivered 
numerous speeches in support of the administration. He was 
fearless, brave, and patriotic, a foe to sin and evil of every kind 
and his memory will ever be revered in the church. 

John Erb was bom in Manor township, Lancaster county, 
Pa., in 1787. Under the ministry of the first preachers of the 
Association he was awakened to a sense of his condition, and 
during the great revival along the Conestoga, in 1807, he was 
converted. In the Fall of 1808 he entered the active ministry. 
In 1 8 10, with Mr. Betz as colleague he formed the third or 
Franklin Circuit, and in 181 1, with L. Zimmerman as colleague, 



540 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

he served Northumberland Circuit, where the accessions num- 
bered over one hundred. In 1813 he located because of im- 
paired health, and the following year suffered the loss of his 
wife, Mary, who was a daughter of George Becker, of the 
Muehlbach. In 1820 he re-entered the work and was elected 
the third presiding elder of the church. He was president of 
the conference in 1821, 1822 and 1823. He was then com- 
pelled to locate again, and soon after removed to Ohio. In 
185 1 he again entered the active work and located in 1857.- 
The last year of his life was one of great suffering from cancer. 
He died in triumph, Feb. 12, 1858, in his seventy-second year, 
and was interred at Bettsville, Ohio. 

Adam Ettiuger, eldest son of Rev. Adam and Anna Et- 
tinger, was born near Mt. Royal, York county, Pa., March 
19, 1787 ; converted under the labors of Walter and Dreis- 
BACH in 18 10; entered the ministry in 181 6 and traveled two 
years and then located. He was the first editor of the Christ- 
liche Botschaftery in 1836, which position he resigned in Febru- 
ary, 1839. ^^ ^^4^ ^^ resumed the itinerant work, and in 1842 
was elected presiding elder, and stationed on Zion District, 
West Pa. Conference. In 1844 he was again elected editor of 
the Boischaftery which he edited for four years with marked 
ability. In 1862 he once more resumed pastoral work, con- 
tinuing until 1866, when he took a superannuated relation at the 
age of seventy-nine years. In 1872 he supplied the pulpit of 
York Station. He died in York, Pa., Nov. 2, 1877. 

Father Ettinger was one of the most erudite men of his 
church. His radical views sometimes brought him into con- 
flict with his brethren, but no one doubted his sincerity and 
purity of motive. It is to be regretted that the church did not 
realize in a greater measure the benefit of his great abilities and 
long life. At the age of ninety, his tall form was still erect and 
dignified, his step elastic, and his mental powers unimpaired. 
His stately form and venerable appearance will always be re- 
membered by those who knew him. 

Jessie M. Ettinger, Jr., A, M., son of Jesse M. Et- 
tinger, Senior, and grandson of the eminent Rev. Adam Et- 
tinger, was born in York county, Pa., Dec. 13, 1846, and died 
in York, Pa., Feb. 3, 1895. In 1867 he entered the ministry in 
the Central Pa. Conference and served some of its most im- 
portant charges. In 1884 he was elected presiding elder and 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 541 

Stationed on Juniata District. He was re-elected in 1888 and 
served York District until 1891, when on account of failing 
health he resigned. In the Autumn of this year he was called 
to the editorship of Thg Evangelical^ which had become vacant 
by the election of Rev. W. M. Stanford to the office of bishop. 
He continued in the faithful discharge of his editorial duties 
until the time of his triumphant death. As a preacher and ora- 
tor Ettinger ranked very high, and was surpassed by few, if 
any, of his church. As a writer he was versatile and polished. 
His language, whether oral or written, was of the choicest char- 
acter, and whether in the pulpit, editoral office, or social circle, 
Jie uniformly impressed everyone with a sense of his superior 
character and endowments. He served as delegate to the Gen- 
eral Conferences of 1887, 1891, and 1894. His wife, a daugh- 
ter of the late Rev. Jacob Boas, and several children survived 
him. His last words were, **Tell the brethren I die at my 
post." 

Henry Fisher was bom near Lebanon, Pa., Aug. 23, 
1800. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, always 
serious, careful and painstaking, and full of faith and the Holy 
Ghost. In early life he served as a school teacher and gained 
experience which proved very valuable in his subsequent labors 
in the church. He became the subject of saving grace in 1824, 
under the labors of Rev. John Breitenstein, and was one of 
the twelve members of the class organized in Lebanon in 1826, 
and of which he became the first leader. In 183 1, he entered 
the ministry of the Eastern Conference. He was elected pre- 
siding elder in 1842, serving Philadelphia District three years 
and Orwigsburg District one year. At the General Conference 
of 1847 he was elected general agent of the publishing house, 
and served in that capacity until the General Conference of 
185 1, when he was elected editor of The Evangelical Messenger^ 
-which he edited very successfully until his death, which oc- 
curred at New Berlin, Pa., Jan. 20, 1854. His remains were 
taken to his native town. 

David Fisher was born at Minersville, Pa., in 18 14, and 
-died at Buffalo, N. Y., 1890, He entered the East Pa. Confer- 
ence in 1840, traveled mostly in the State of New York, and 
was an original member of the New York Conference. In 1865 
he was elected presiding elder. He served forty-four years in 
the itinerancy. 



542 



EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 



G. T, Haines was born near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1809. 
In 181 1 his parents, Henry and PHoeBE Haines, removed to 
York county. Pa., where parents and children were converted 
and became members of the church. One daughter became 
the wife of Rev. Thos. Buck and another the wife of Rev. E. 
KoHR. Haines entered the ministry of the Eastern Conference 
in 1838, was elected presiding elder in the East Pa. Conference 
in 1853 ; resigned after two years, was again elected in 1862 ; 
re-elected in 1866 ; served forty-one years in the ministry ; 
died on his last charge, Catasaqua, Pa., Dec. 19, 1879. 

Joseph Harlacher was bom near Lewisburg, Pa., Aug. 
5, 181 2 ; entered the Eastern Conference and rendered many 
years of successful service in Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, 
Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. He was the founder of our work- 
in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1835. He was elected presiding elder in: 
Illinois Conference in 185 1, but was compelled by ill health to 
resign the year following. He is author of a work entitled 
^^The New Jerusalem.'^ He died at Naperville, 111., in 1893. 

George Hassenptlug was born in Germany, Dec. 31, 
1834, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, July 23, 1896. He 
came with his parents to Ohio when a mere youth ; was con- 
verted at the age of fifteen under the labors of Rev. Grorge 
Haley and became a member of the church. After taking a 
course in Greensburg Seminary he was licensed by the Ohio 
Conference in i860, and entered the active ranks the following 
year. His charges were : Tuscarawas, 1861 ; Coshocton, 1862 ; 
Tifhn, 1863-64; Sandusky, 1865; then he retired on account 
of ill health ; became effective again, and served Cleveland 
South Side Mission, 1868-69 ; Bath, 1870-71 ; Perrysburg, 
1873 J Toledo, 1874-78; Huron, i879-'8i ; Cleveland, Salem 
Church, 1882-83, then retired because of ill health. 

Hasenpflug was especially successful as a revivalist, and 
was instrumental in organizing quite a number of congrega- 
tions. For the United Evangelical Church he rendered invalu- 
able services. He was one of the promoters of the Evangelical 
Publishing Company, and a most liberal supporter of all the 
enterprises and benevolences of the church. 

Charles Hammer was born at Orwigsburg, Pa., Dec. 7, 

1809 ; received into the ministry of the Eastern Conference in 
1830 ; elected presiding elder at the special General Confer- 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 543 

ence in 1836, and served Moriah District in New York; at the 
General Conference in 1839 was elected general book agent, 
and after three years resigned and resumed pastoral work. In 
1844 he was again elected presiding elder, serving two years 
each on Baltimore and Susquehanna District. In 1853 he was 
again elected presiding elder. In 1854 he was the second time 
elected general book agent, and under his management the es- 
tablishment was removed to Cleveland, Ohio. He served until 
1867. In 1868 he was elected superintendent of the newly 
founded Orphan's Home at -Flat Rock, Ohio, and continued 
until 1876. Later he served several charges in the Erie Con- 
ference. His last charge was Albany, N. Y., in 1884, which 
he served as a vacancy. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 2, 
1887. He was for many years recognized as one of the ablest 
men of the church, a deep thinker, noble minded, earnest and 
consecrated to God's cause. 

Charles Hesser was born at Orwigsburg, Pa., Nov. 5, 
1807 ; converted at the house of Charles Wagoner, near his 
native town in 1825 : entered the ministry of the Eastern Con- 
ference in 1 83 1 ; was chosen delegate to the General Confer- 
ence- of 1839 and 1843. His life was suddenly cut short while 
on his way to the latter conference. On Oct. 6, he, in com- 
pany with H. Fisher, J. M. Saylor, and Michael F. Maize, 
started in a carriage for the seat of the conference at Greens- 
burg, O. On the 7th, they dined with Daniel Zartman near 
McKee's Half Falls, below Sunbury, Pa. Proceeding on their 
journey they were driving down a hill, when the tongue of the 
carriage gave way, causing the horses to kick, and Hesser's 
leg was fractured. He was taken to Zartman's house and ten- 
derly cared for. His injury resulted in a fever from which he 
died in five days, Oct. 12, aged 35 years, 11 months, 7 days. 
Just before his death his wife arrived, to whom he spake 
words of cheer and comfort. His last words were jPreis 
set dent Lamme von ewigkeit zu ewigkeit, (Praise be to the 
Lamb from everlasting to everlasting.) Hesser was a man 
of pleasing manners, with a rich and winning voice, deeply 
pious, and a tireless worker. Great numbers were converted 
under his brief ministry. In 1828 he was married to Hannah, 
a daughter of Charles Wagoner, who survived him until 1883, 
when she died, aged 73 years, Hesser's body is interred at 
Orwigsburg. 



544 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

Adam Hennigy son of John Adam Hennig, was born in 
Centre county, Pa., March 7, 1794. At the age of sixteen he 
was converted, and soon thereafter gave evidence of talents for 
the ministry. In 18 13 he was received into the ministry, and 
with John Dreisbach as senior colleague, was appointed to ex- 
plore and form a new circuit west of the Allegheny Mountains. 
As the church had then neither bishop nor presiding elder, to 
Dreisbach was assigned the duty of visiting the eastern fields 
and holding meetings, which threw the burden of the work on 
the untried shoulders of the youthful Hennig. His operations 
embraced a vast territory and he was very successful. In less 
than forty years the field of labor thus established formed the 
foundations of the present flourishing Pittsburg Conference. In 
18 1 6 (with F. Shauer) he was sent to begin the Evangelical 
work in Ohio. He was very successful and laid foundations for 
the present flourishing work in that State. As the result of 
overwork, he broke down and was compelled to locate at the 
end of his first year's labor in Ohio. He suffered much and 
long from his early ministerial hardships, and although he 
served several charges afterwards as supply, he was never able 
to bear the arduous labor of the regular itinerancy again. He 
nevertheless became a strong support to our work in Ohio. His 
house was a preaching place, and he labored as much as his en- 
feebled condition would permit, until called to his reward, in 
i860, at Salem, O., aged 65 years. His wife Catharine, died 
in 1865, aged 67 years. 

Francis Hoffman was born at Orwigsburg, Pa., in 1806, 
and began to preach in the Autumn of 1825. He entered the 
itinerancy in 1826, and was sent to Ohio. Returned to the 
East in 1827 ; was elected presiding eld-er in 1848, served in 
that capacity a great many years, and was always held in the 
highest esteem. In 1833 he served Union Circuit. Finding it 
inconvenient to travel to and fro, from Orwigsburg, he re- 
moved his family to Mifflinburg. This was, so far as we know, 
the first removal of a preacher to his charge, in the Evangelical 
Association. Two of his sons, Francis C. andELiSHA A., be- 
came ministers. The former was for some time principal of 
Union Seminary. The latter is a well known musical author. 
Father Hoffman, at the time of his death, was the oldest 
minister of the church. He fell asleep in Jesus, in Reading, 
Pa., July 26, 1894, aged 88 years, 6 months, and 23 days. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 545 

In 1866, the East Pa. Conference passed the following, which 
was adopted by a rising vote : 

*< Whereas, Father F. Hoffman, who for the past sixty years 
has uninterruptedly served in the active itinerant work of this 
conference, serving during this long term of years as circuit, 
station and mission preacher, as well as for quite a number of 
years in the office of presiding elder, to the edification of the 
church, and the glory of Christ, and. 

Whereas, On account of his age he has signified his willing- 
ness to accept a superannuated relation if the conference sees 
fit, therefore. 

Resolved, That Brother Hoffman be placed in a superannu- 
ated relation, and that he be allowed to travel and preach within 
the bounds of this conference as he may see fit." 

Conrad Kring was born in Morrison's Cove, Bedford 
.county. Pa., Sept. 12, 1800. In his father's house Jacob Al- 
BiGHT found a welcome home and frequently preached there. 
In 1806, his father, George Kring, moved across the Alle- 
gheny mountains and settled near Johnstown, whither Albright 
and his colleagues followed him. Here young Conrad was 
converted and became a member of the church in 18 13. In 
1823 he entered the ministry, and spent thirteen years in the 
service in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1836 he settled near 
Westerville, O., where he died, March 23, 1887, aged 86 years, 
6 months, and 11 days. 

S. B« Kring, son of Conrad Kring, was born in 1827 ; 
received into the West Pa. Conference in 1850. In the newly 
formed Pittsburg Conference he was elected presiding elder in 
1863 and served several terms. Later he became a member of 
the Indiana Conference. He died in 1893. 

Frederick Krecker, Jr., son of Rev. Frederick Krecker, 
was born Jan. 31, 1841. He practiced medicine a number of 
years. In 1875 he was licensed as a preacher by the East Pa. 
Conference. On May i, 1876, he was appointed missionary to 
Japan. 

As one of the first missionaries of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion in Japan, Dr. Krecker rendered valuable service. He was 
a diligent student and soon became familiar with the language 
and customs of the people, and success attended his labors. In 
the midst of his usefulness he was smitten with a fatal fever and 
died, April 26, 1883, in Tokio. His wife Elizabeth, remained 



546 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

four years longer in Japan, continuing in missionary work, then, 
returned to America, and was engaged by the Board of Missions 
to labor in the interest of missionary cause in the home land. 

John Klinefelter was bom in York county, Pa., May 5^ 
1 791 j entered the ministry in 1813 ; was presiding elder froA 
1821 to 1824; and president of the conference in 1822 and 
1824. In 1823 he married Catharine Becker, a daughter of 
George Becker, at whose house Albright died. In 1824 he 
located because of impaired health, and settled on the farm of 
his father-in-law. The town of Klinefeltersville was laid out 
on his land, and named in his honor. He died in 1863, aged a 
few days less than 72 years. His wife died in 1883, aged 87 
years, and was the last surviving witness of Albright's death. 
Klinefelter ranked among the leading men of the church in 
the early days. He was an able preacher, of very sound judg- 
ment, and commanded the highest esteem of his brethren. His 
services to the church were important and valuable. 

Jacob Kliuefeltery a brother of Rev. John Klinefelter, 
was born in York county. Pa., Oct. 29, 1792, and entered the 
ministry in 1813. In 1826 he removed to Marion county, O., 
and his home became one of the first preaching places of the 
Sandusky Circuit. In later years he entered the ranks of the 
Ohio Conference, where he rendered six years more of service,, 
and then took a local relation. He was secretary of the con- 
ference in 182 1 and 1824. His impaired health was the result 
of the hardships of the itinerancy. After years of dreadful suf- 
ferings, he died near Marion, O., Jan. 25, 1858. His com- 
panion died Dec. 18, 1888, aged S;^ years. 

Adam Klitiefeltery second son of John Adam Kline- 
felter, Esq., of Shrewsbury, Pa., was born in 1796, entered 
the ministry in 181 7, and was sent with his relative, John 
Klinfelter, to Ohio, where he rendered good service. In 1823 
he was elected presiding elder and served on the newly-xormed 
Ohio District four years. In 1830 he located. He was an 
earnest, tireless worker and did much to build up the work in 
Ohio. His long and wearisome journeys and severe exposure 
so impaired his health that his work ceased almost before he 
reached the meridian of his life, yet in the thirteen years of 
his itinerancy he accomplished a great work. After his location 
he settled at Greensburg, Ohio. In 1825 he married Margaret 
Dilliman, a daughter of that eminent Evangelical, Father Con- 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 547 

RAD DiLLiMAN. After years of great suffering he was called to 
rest March 22, 1878, aged 81 years, 10 months and 21 days. 
His son William was for many years an active minister of the 
church in Iowa. 

Emanuel KoHr was born in York county, Pa., Sept. 24, 
1823. He was licensed to preach by the West Pa., (now Cen- 
tral Pa.) Conference in 1843, and entered the active ministry 
in 1844. In 1858 he was elected presiding elder and served as 
follows : Centre District, 1858-61 ; Baltimore District, 1862- 
65 ; Susquehanna District, 1866-69 ; Baltimore District, 1870. 
Health failing him, he resigned his office and took a super- 
numerary relation in 187 1. In 1872 he again became effective 
and in 1875 was again elected presiding elder and served Balti- 
more District, 1875; Carlisle District, 1876-78; Juniata Dis- 
trict, 1879; York District, 1880-82. In 1883 he took a super- 
annuated relation, and again became effective in 1886, continu- 
ing in the work until 1891, when he became superannuated for 
the last time because of failing health. 

KoHR justly ranked as one of the ablest men of the church. 
For eloquence, sound judgment and executive ability he had 
few if any superiors in the church. Beginning with 185 1, he 
was a member of ten General Conferences. In the councils of 
the church his services were invaluable. He was for many 
years a member of the Board of Publication, besides occupying 
many other important positions. He died at Lewisburg, Pa., 
Aug. 19, 1894, aged 70 years, 10 months, and 26 days. At the 
time of his death he was the oldest preacher of his conference. 
Twenty-seven of his ministerial brethren attended his obsequies. 

John P. Leib was born at Cornwall, Lebanon county. 
Pa., Dec. 30, 1802 ; converted during the great revival at 
Orwigsburg ; entered the Eastern Conference in 183 1 ; was 
elected presiding elder in 1836, in 1840, in 1848, in 1852 and 
in 1866. He died at his post while pastor at Phoenixville 
in 1875, being found dead in his bed on the morning of Sep- 
tember 7. He was justly regarded as one of the leading men 
of the church. A short time prior to his death he attended a 
camp-meeting at Milford, during which he made the following 
statement at a praise meeting. Raising his right hand, tremb- 
ling with age, he said : ''I John P, Leib, seventy-two years of 
age, having spent fifty-one years in the service of God, and 
forty-five years in uninterrupted succession in the ministry of the 



548 ENANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

gospel, confess before you all that I have found pardon and 
salvation in the blood of the Lamb, and that I am the Lord's 
with body, soul and spirit, with all I am and possess both for 
time and eternity." His wife Hannah, a sister of Rev. Chas. 
Hammer, preceded him in death. 

Solomoil Neltz was born in Lehigh county, Pa., April 2, 
182 1. He was converted at the age of fourteen at the Mertz 
church (the first Evangelical church in Lehigh county), in 
March, 1835. He entered the ministry of the East Pa. Confer- 
ence, 1840. In 1855 he was conference agent for Union 
Seminary. He was elected presiding elder in 1856 and i860, 
but having been appointed by the Board of Publication to write 
the *'Life of Bishop Seybert," he resigned in 1861, and 
devoted himself to that work. He was re-elected presiding 
elder in 1862, 1866 and 1870 ; served Reading Eighth Street 
church in 1874, was re-elected presiding elder in 1875 ; resigned 
in 1878, and was appointed to Reading, Eighth Street again, 
where he served three years. In 1881 he rested because of 
failing health, and in 1882 he was appointed to Reading, Ninth 
Street, which he served until September, 1883, when he became 
disabled for further service and thereafter was retained in the 
itinerancy without appointment until his death. He was a dele- 
gate to the General Conference of 1856, and to every subse- 
quent one until his death. In 1863 he was sent by the Board 
of Missions to Germany to inspect and more firmly establish 
the work there. He was the faithful and efficient treasurer of 
the Charitable Society for a number of years. 

As an orator Solomon Neitz has probably never been sur- 
passed in the church. His speech was always weighty, impres- 
sive and convincing, and he often swept his audience into 
raptures by his grand and overwhelming oratory. Unlike 
many, whose only strength is in their oratory, Neitz was always 
fertile in resources and fresh in his subject matter, and fre- 
quently led his hearers into fields not often traversed by others. 
in 1844 Neitz was married to Susan Hammer, a member of an 
eminent Evangelical family of that name, who were among the 
fruits of the great Orwigsburg revival. His son Henry entered 
the ministry of the East Pa. Conference in 1867. Father Neitz 
suffered a stroke of paralysis in Sept., 1883, which caused his 
death May 11, 1885, in Reading, Pa. His wife and four chil- 
dren survived him. 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 549 

Henry Niebel, son of Nicholas Niebel, of Buffalo Valley, 
Union county, Pa., was born March i6, 1784. When a young 
man he studied for the ministry of the Reformed Church. In 
1807 he taught school in Dry Valley, near New Berlin, where 
he became acquainted with Albright and his colleagues at the 
house of Abraham Eyer. (For an account of his remarkable 
conversion the reader is referred to the paragraph, ''Dry Val- 
ley. ") In the Autumn of 1808 Niebel entered the ministry as 
a supply, and in 1809 was received into the itinerancy. In 
1 8 15 he was elected the second presiding elder of the church, 
and stationed on Salem District. He located in 1819 ; became 
effective again in 1829; was elected presiding elder in 1831, 
and stationed on Canaan District; in 1833, was appointed by 
the Eastern Conference, presiding elder of Ohio District which 
embraced the entire Western Conference. He accordingly re- 
moved to that State, settling in Wyandotte county. In Ohio 
he became the leading man of the conference, serving many 
times as its president. He served sixteen years as presiding 
elder, six years in Pennsylvania and ten in Ohio. In 1846 he 
served Sandusky Mission, which was his last year in the work. 
Niebel ranks as one of the leading men of the church in its in- 
fancy. In 181 6 he and John Dreisbach, by order of the con- 
ference, compiled a hymn book qzW-^^l Das geistliche Saitenspeil, 
which was approved by the General Conference. In the same 
year he and Dreisbach also improved the Discipline. In 18 17 
he was one of the committee appointed by General Conference 
to arrange for a union between our society and the United 
Brethren in Christ. Soon after his conversion, Niebel was 
married to Mary, a daughter of Abraham Eyer, of Dry Valley. 
She died in 1857, ^g^d 69 years. Father Niebel lingered until 
May 2, 1877, when he died at the home of his son Enos, in 
Wyandotte county, O., at the advanced age of 93 years. 

Abraham Niebel, son of Rev. Henry and Mary Niebel, 
was born in 181 7 in Buffalo Valley, Union county. Pa., entered 
the ministry of the Western (Ohio) Conference in 1838, and 
devoted almost half a century in the active ranks, serving sev- 
eral terms as presiding elder, both in the Ohio and Pittsburg Con- 
ference and many times as General Conference delegate. He was 
the father of Rev. B. H. Niebel of the Des Moines Conference. 

Henry Roklatld was born in Dauphin county. Pa., Nov. 
15, 1817, and died in Freeport, 111., April 14, 1895. In 1839 



550 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

he entered the active ranks of the West Pennsylvania (now 
Central Pa.) Conference, and labored with general acceptance 
until 1850, when he removed to Illinois; He accepted work 
upon his arrival there, and although a new comer, he was 
elected delegate to the General Conference of 185 1. Rev. S. 
Baumgardner, the presiding elder of the conference district, 
having died, the General Conference in 1851 elected Rohland, 
in his stead. He served Freeport District one term, (1851-55) 
was re-elected and served Madison District, one year, 1855-56, 
when he resigned, and served charges until i860, when he was 
again elected presiding elder and served Chicago District, 1860- 
62, and Freeport District, 1862-64. He was treasurer of Plain- 
field College in 1866-68, was re-elected presiding elder and 
served Freeport District in 1876-7Q, and took a superannuated 
relation in 1887. Rohland ranked very highly as a good 
preacher, sound theologian, and safe counsellor. The success 
of our educational interests in the West was largely due to his 
zeal in the good cause. In 1844 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Leah Wolf, daughter of Andrew Wolf, Esq., of Buffalo 
Valley, Pa., whose mother was a sister of the sainted Rev. John 
Dreisbach. 

S. G. Rhoads was born at Colebrookdale, Berks county. 
Pa. In 1850 he served under the presiding elder on Lehigh 
Circuit and was received into the itinerancy of the East Pa. Con- 
ference at the session of 1851. The characteristics of Rhoads 
were deep piety, great zeal and tireless devotion to his calling. 
He soon arose to prominence in his conference and served as 
a delegate to the General Conference in 1863, ^67, 'yi and '75 ; 
at the latter conference he was elected a member of the Board 
of Publication, but his useful career was tut short before he 
met the Board in regular session. At the session of 1874 he 
was elected presiding elder and stationed on Philadelphia Dis- 
trict, which he served with marked ability until called to his 
reward. He died in Philadelphia Jan, 4, 1876, in the forty- 
fifth year of his age. His death was felt to be a great loss to 
the church. His educational advantages were very limited, 
but by his close application he became a profound thinker and 
valuable contributor to the literature of the church. He was 
the author of a very helpful work entitled ''The Old Way." 

Joseph M, Saylor was born at Orwigsburg, Pa., Sept. 
4, 1803, and died at Reading, Pa., Oct. 12, 1891, aged 88 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 551 

years, i month and 8 days. He was converted at Orwigsburg 
under the labors of John Seibert in 1823, with whom he 
traveled York Circuit in 1824. He was licensed by the con- 
ference in 1825, and in 1826 he traveled in Ohio, where he was 
ordained at the first annual session in the West. He was 
elected presiding elder in 1833. In 1843 he founded the Evan- 
gelical work in Germantown, and in Reading in 1844; was 
again elected presiding elder in 1848, 1861, 1872 and 1876. 
He became superannuated in 1882, but preached frequently 
until within a short time of his death, being the oldest preacher 
in years and length of service in the church. He was in many 
respects a remarkable man, and his services to the church were 
indeed great and valuable. He was one of the compilers of 
the English hymn book and other church literature. His 
mind remained clear to the last, his memory retaining with 
great vividness the events of the early days. Upon his retire- 
ment from the active work in 1882, the East Pa. Conference 
adopted suitable resolutions recognizing his long and valuable 
services. 

William F. Sclmeider was born in Prussia in 1834. In 
1849, in company with his mother and uncle, he came to 
America and settled at Lomira, Wis. His mother soon dying, 
he was left to battle with the world alone when still a boy. He 
obtained employment with a merchant at Fon du Lac, where he 
was converted in 1851 under the labors of C. A. Schnake. In 
1858 he was licensed to preach and served as an itinerant eight 
years in the Wisconsin Conference. In 1866 he was appointed 
agent of Plainfield, (now North Western) College, 111., in 
which capacity he served with great acceptance four years. In 
1869 he was elected general publishing agent of the book es- 
tablishment, in which position he continued until death. His 
reelection, in 1873, being by acclamation, the whole General 
Conference rising to their feet, which was unprecedented. 
Schneider was very quiet and unassuming, but very shrewd 
and far-seeing, with wonderful business tact. Under his man- 
agement a large, new building was erected and all the publish- 
ing interests became amazingly prosperous. He died of fever, 
Aug. 22, 1879, aged about 45 years, leaving wife and six chil- 
dren. His untimely death cast a heavy gloom over the entire 
church. His funeral at Cleveland was attended by the em- 
ployees of the publishing house in a body, and also many of 



552 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

the church ofiicials and ministers. Addresses were delivered 
by Bishops Esher and Dubs. 

Jacob Schnerrwas born in Adams county, Pa., March 17, 
1806, and entered the ministry in 1829. He was a man of 
singular piety and was greatly beloved. His service in the 
ministry was brief, yet eminently successful. His crowning work 
was the founding of the first Evangelical Society in Philadel- 
phia, in 1835. Among the converts was Frederick Krecker, 
who spent over forty years in the Evangelical ministry, besides 
giving several sons to the church, one of whom found a mis- 
sionary's grave in Japan. Schnerr was a consumptive, and 
was compelled to locate in 1839, and thereafter served as agent 
for the American Tract Society, as his enfeebled health per- 
mitted. He died at Orwigsburg, Pa., March 10, 1849. His 
v/ife Sarah, a sister of Rev. Charles Hammer, survived him 
many years. 

Jacob Schaefele was born in Alsace, Germany, in 182 1, 
and died at Aurora, 111., December, 1888. He entered the 
ministry of the Illinois Conference in 1850, and continued in 
service until death. He was presiding elder twelve years, and 
many times General Conference delegate. He was held in high 
esteem and his death was greatly lamented. 

Absalom B. Shaeffer was born in Shenandoah county, 
Va., 1797, his parents having removed thither from Lebanon 
county, Pa. Later they removed to Ohio, where Bro. Schaef- 
fer was converted in 1829, and entered the Western Confer- 
ence in 1836. He was one of the pioneer Evangelical preach- 
ers in Indiana, and upon the organization of a conference in 
that State, he became a member. He may justly be regarded 
as the father of the Indiana Conference, having had the general 
oversight of the work when connected with, the Ohio, and later 
the Illinois Conference. He was a good preacher, an earnest 
worker^ and an excellent organizer. He labored uninterrupt- 
edly in the ministry for twenty-nine years, fifteen of which were 
spent as presiding elder in the Ohio, Illinois and Indiana Con- 
ferences. He located in 1866, and died Dec. 20, 1869. His 
body sleeps at East Germantown, Ind. 

Elias Stoever was born in Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 18, 1805, 
and died near Greensburgh, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1874. He became 
the subject of saving grace in 1824, under the labors of Rev. 
Philip Breitenstein and his son John. With him were also 



EVANGELICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 553 

converted Henry Fisher and Jacob Burkitt, all of whom be- 
came most eminent servants of the Lord. Stoever became a 
member of the class organized at Lebanon, by John Seybert, 
in 1826. He was licensed to preach and assigned by John 
Seybert as junior preacher to Schuylkill Circuit, in 1827. In 
1843 he was elected presiding elder of Columbiana District, 
Ohio, and served three years, was re-elected in 1847, and served 
Mohican District, but became disabled in 1848, and superannu- 
ated in 1849. He was a grand man, universally beloved, and 
only retired from the active ranks when completely broken down. 
His ministry covered forty-seven years, twenty-two in the active 
work. He was a member of six General Conferences. 

Philip Wagoner was bom near Carlisle, Pa., Nov. 22, 
1800 ; entered the active ministry in 1822, and was elected pre- 
siding elder in 1833, in which capacity he served almost a quar- 
ter of a century. He was also president of the conference a 
number of sessions. He was a member of ten General Confer- 
ences, and his great services to the church are inseparably con- 
nected with its history. He had a powerful body, a very fine 
voice, an excellent command of language, preaching in English 
and German with equal fluency. The author heard him preach 
an unusually powerful sermon in 1868, at a camp-meeting in 
Centreville, Pa., his text being: ''But one thing is needful." 
In the course of his sermon, he said of himself that he had al- 
ways cherished the hope that the Lord would permit him to fin- 
ish half a century of active service in the ministry. Should 
this be denied him, he prayed God that he might die with the 
harness on. This desire was granted, for he labored to within 
a few days of his death, and died on his charge, Williamsport, 
Pa., Feb. 15, 1870, aged 69 years, 3 months and 22 days. His 
remains repose at Lewisburgh. His loving wife Catharine, 
born April 3, 1799, died Sept. 8, 1870, and who bore such trials 
as but few are called on to bear, reposes by his side. 

In T/ie Evangelical Messenger of March 13, 1858, we find a 
remarkable letter from this old veteran of which we give an ex- 
tract to indicate its spirit, as follows : 

''With the close of this conference year, my term as presid- 
ing elder expires, a capacity in which I have served the church 
for twenty-two years. During all this time I have not missed a 
single appointment, unless through sickness of myself or family, 
and for the last four years I have succeeded in meeting every 



:554 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION ANNALS. 

one, and in all the temptations, both external and internal, 
through which I had to pass, the Lord has been my Sun, my 
Shield, and my Support, and I am still willing to serve the 
church as itinerant preacher so long as I am able, for it is my 
meat and drink to do my Master's will." 

The home of Philip Wagoner was for a number of years in 
Brush Valley, Centre county. Pa. During a protracted meeting 
there, he preached one evening and then walked down the aisle, 
pleading with sinners to come to the altar. As he passed a certain 
pew, when a young man named George Weirick suddenly thrust 
out his foot and tripped the portly preacher, who fell heavily to 
the floor. This created a great sensation, but Wagoner did not 
resent the mischief in the least, and his kind words smote the 
young man's conscience, who not only became ashamed of his 
conduct, but also distressed because of his sin. He began to 
seek the Saviour, and some time afterwards was converted, and 
-sought Wagoner's pardon. He became a very devoted Chris- 
tian, and was called of the Lord to the ministry, in 1842 ; was 
elected presiding elder in 1848, and served Allegheny District, 
resigning in 1849 because of failing health, and died in 1850, at 
Millheim, Pa. He was a man of great promise, and his early 
death was deeply mourned. Through that mischievous act of 
the young man and Wagoner's fall, the Lord won scores of 
souls. 

J. G. ZitiZer was born in Germany, in 1806, entered the 
ranks of the Western Conference in 1829, but labored mostly in 
the early part of the ministry in the Eastern Conference, in which 
he was elected presiding elder in 1834; was elected presiding 
elder in the Ohio Conference in 1839, and re-elected in 1843, 
1847. In 1852 he was elected editor of the Christliche Botschaf- 
-ter, again elected presiding elder in 1855, and later superin- 
tendent of Ebenezer Orphan Home. He located in 1872, set- 
tling in El Paso, 111., where he died, October, 1883. He was 
justly regarded as one of the foremost men of the Church. He 
was the chief promoter and founder of our orphan home, and 
was its first superintendent and collector, in 1866-67. 



THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS, 

PART IV. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 

Embracing an Account of the Division of the 

Evangelical Association, 

The Causes which led thereto, and the Organization 
OF the 

United Evangelical Church. 

Also a Continuation of the Annals of the Annual Con- 
ferences Adhering thereto, and Brief Abstracts of Gen 
ERAL Conference Proceedings, Church Organizations, 
Literary Institutions, Statistics, Etc. 



555 




Grace Church, Naperville, III., where the United Evangelical 
Church was organized i8q6. 



CHAPTER I. 



A Preliminary Dissertation on the Division of the Evan- 
gelical Association, and the Causes Which 
Led Thereto. 

The Element of Discord. — The picture hitherto pre- 
sented to the reader in this work, has been one of peace and 
prosperity. He must not, however, conclude that the Evangel- 
ical Association did not have its seasons of trials and dfficulties, 
in common with all newly formed denominations. So long as 
affairs were under the control of her original people, and domi- 
nated by the fathers of the church and their immediate succes- 
sors, difficulties were overcome in the spirit of Christian 
forbearance. 

A new element now appears on the horizon of her history, 
which casts a dark shadow over this era of peace and prosper- 
ity. It will be recalled that the uniform tendency of the fathers 
was to restrict the powers of the bishops, and to guard against the 
centralization of power. 

The reader will also recall the warning of Bishop Long, 
when steps were being taken to increase the power of the epis- 
copacy : '* You must remember first of all that when you vote 
power to men they will use it. This may do as long as you 
have Bishop Seybert and myself in office, but you will get men 
who will use all the powers you give them, and not always for 
the best interests of the church. '* To narrate the fulfillment 
of this prophecy has now become a mournful duty. Its de- 
velopments and terminations, however, have been so manifold 
and extensive as to preclude anything but a brief review of the 
cause, process and final accomplishment of the disruption of 
the church. 

557 • 



558 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

In 1845 there was licensed by the Illinois Gonference a 
young man named J. J. Esher, who in a few years attracted 
the attention of the church. His ability was undoubted and 
his promotion was rapid. At the General Conference of 1855 
his admirers put him forward as a candidate for an important 
office. Bishop Long at that conference expressed himself in so 
pronounced a manner against the proposed candidature of 
Esher as to incur the ill will of many prominent men who 
advanced the latter's claim for preferment. Bishop Long died 
in, 1869, from which time until the Autumn of 1871, Bishop 
Esher was the only incumbent of the office, and to this period 
must be assigned the development of his peculiar ecclesias- 
ticism, which perhaps, undesigned by himself, has made the 
general interests of the church subservient to his own will 
and purposes, and caused grave apprehensions to fill the 
minds of many of the leading men of the church for her 
safety. 

Beginning with his elevation to the episcopacy, Bishop 
Esher sought to gather around himself, in special bonds of 
confidence, such as were like-minded and in accord with his 
distinctive polity. Such as he would not trust, he held aloof, 
and such as opposed his aspirations he uniformly regarded as 
enemies. When in his native element it is said he sometimes 
took occasion to speak disparagingly of the Eastern confer- 
ences. In this way a nativistic spirit was engendered and deep- 
rooted prejudices were implanted, which became painfully man- 
ifest, not only in the church periodicals, but in her legislative 
bodies as well. Long before the final culmination of these 
troubles. Bishop Esher had come in serious conflict with his 
own (the Illinois) conference, and incurred a vote of censure 
by that body, which censure, however, was later disapproved 
of by the General Conference, and ordered to be expunged 
from the conference minutes. The matters involved were very 
intricate and of far-reaching consequence. So serious did 
affairs become, that a '^ Peace Conference" was convened in 
Chicago, in November, 1878, attended by some of the leading 
men of the church. An adjustment of the difficulty was made, 
as was supposed, and the conference dissolved. But what was 
their surprise to learn that Esher had declared soon afterwards 
that the matters remained ''unadjusted.'' To such an extent 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 559 

did Bishop Esher^s peculiar polity manifest itself that it be- 
came a matter of deep concern to the delegates of the General 
Conference in 1875, and produced considerable agitation. Two 
additional bishops were elected at this conference — Rudolph 
Dubs and Thomas Bowman. In the Spring of 1882, the fam- 
ilies of EsHER and Bowman became united by matrimonial ties, 
and, as a consequence, the isolation of Bishop Dubs followed. 
Thereafter the Episcopal Board was divided. Bowman^s atti- 
tude on church questions was in hearty accord with Esher. 

Ecumeiiical Council Difficulties. — By reference to the 
proceedings of the General Conference of 1879, it will be seen 
that an invitation was received by that body to send delegates 
to the Ecumenical Council of Methodism to be held in London. 
The delegates elected were Bishop Dubs and Rev. D. B. Byers, 
of the Illinois Conference. This selection was very unaccept- 
able to the Esher party, who, soon after the adjournment of 
the General Conference, held that they had not been elected as 
delegates, but merely as a committee of arrangements, notwith- 
standing the explicit language of the resolution. 

The Board of Bishops met in October, 1880, at which time 
a new arrangement was made by them, whereby Bishop T. 
Bowman and Rev. H. Hintze were constituted — as Bishop 
Dubs held — additional delegates. However, immediately after- 
wards. Bishops Esher and Bowman asserted that the new 
arrangement did not include Bishop Dubs and Rev. D. B. 
Byers at all. This misunderstanding led to an acrid contro- 
versy in the church periodicals, and by which the church be- 
came aware of the difficulty. Bishop Dubs, as secretary of 
the Episcopal Board, being of necessity in correspondence 
with Dr. GeorgEj the secretary of the Committee of Arrange- 
ments for the Methodist Episcopal Church, learned that Bishop 
Esher had accused him (Bishop Dubs) of making false state- 
ments in reference to the matter in his communications to Dr. 
George. This new entanglement at once served to widen the 
breach between the two bishops. 

At the General Conference of 1883, held at Allentown, Pa., 
an earnest effort was made by that body to heal the breach. 
The conference, sitting as a committee of the whole, occupied 
many days in listening to the allegations of the interested 
parties, especially Esher, who openly accused Bishop Dubs of 



560 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

falsehood, and declared that he had lost ''the last vestige of 
confidence in him." The General Conference, after hearing 
both sides of the controversy, and after mutual concessions 
had been made tending to reconciliation, directed the bishops 
to settle their difficulties privately. For this purpose Bishops 
EsHER, Dubs and Bowman met on the evening of October 
i8, in the home of the latter. The following morning Bishop 
EsHER appeared before the General Conference, and in an 
unequivocal manner retracted his charge of falsehood against 
Bishop Dubs, and their differences were in open conference, 
declared adjusted. A few days later he gave Bishop Dubs a 
written statement of the adjustment of which the following is 
a translated copy : 

''My Explanation Before the Conference. 

" In reference to the letter of Bishop Dubs to Dr. George, 
I declare herewith that upon the analysis and explanation of 
Bishop Dubs, I retract herewith the acousation of falsehood, 
which I had made under the then existing opinions and im- 
pressions. (So far, according to agreement made before con- 
ference.) Then I added verbally: 'Further, I say I never 
held Bishop Dubs responsible for the contents of the lost 
letter, but could not avoid believing that he stood in a corres- 
pondence whose nature and substance was indicated by the lost 
letter. And further, I declare here, that I regard Bishop Dubs* 
explanation as honest and sincere, and not, as was said yester- 
day by a pretended friend, that it had proceeded from a weak- 
ened condition of his health and mind, and upon this ground I 
wish to serve God and the church with him in proper confi- 
dence, in whatever position the church may place me.' {So 
far verbally.') 

'< The following I added substantially : ' I might further add 
that no one shall meddle with our matters. I believe we are 
capable to settle the matters between ourselves, wtthout the 
intermeddling of others. The matter is done. 

"J. J. ESHER." 

''Allentown, Pa., Oct. 20, 1883. '' 

The result of the reconciliation was that the three bishops 
were reelected. Dubs having by far the largest number of votes, 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 561 

and EsHER a very narrow margin. The reconciliation, 
however, was only temporary. The factional feelings and na- 
tivistic prejudices, engendered by many years of shrewd ma- 
nipulation were not in the least allayed. 

In 1885 one of Bishop Esher's most subservient friends, a 
European German, declared to the author that Dubs had be- 
trayed his countrymen, and '*had gone over to the other party," 
and at the next General Conference they would succeed in de- 
feating him. With the conversion of Bishop Bowman to his 
interests. Bishop Esher naturally became more aggressive in 
furthering his High Church views 

Japan Mission Difficulties. — In 1884 circumstances 
led to an inspection of the Japan Mission by Bishop Esher, 
who prolonged his visit to that field a considerable length of 
time, returning home in the Spring of the following year. The 
purpose of his visit, and details of his actions while there, must 
be passed by for the present. Suffice it to say that in his of- 
ficial report to the Board of Missions, the bishop cast unwar- 
ranted reflections on the administration of the superintendent 
of the mission, Rev. Jacob Hartzler. That Bishop Esher's 
conduct toward the superintendent while in Japan, and his 
aspersions on his work in his report were the result of personal 
feeling and prejudice, is clearly apparent to any one capable of 
forming an unbiased judgment. 

Esher's report caused great dissatisfaction among that ele- 
ment of the church afterwards known as the '' Minority," and the 
Editor of the Evangelical Messenger, Dr. H. B. Hartzler, 
severely criticised it. But Bishop Esher never could endure 
unfavorable criticism, and regarded every critic as his enemy. 
The reader will therefore not be surprised that an unusually 
acrimonious controversy ensued in the Evangelical Messenger 
between the editor and the bishop, in which their friends also 
became involved and new issues were opened. 

The controversy also incidentally involved important prin- 
ciples of church polity. For instance, Bishop Esher claimed 
that his report, being an official document, was not a proper 
subject for criticism. Every free-born American knows that 
this principle is at utter variance with the spirit of our institu- 
tions. If applied to the public press, all debate on the great 
civil and political questions of the day would cease, and free 



562 THE EVANGELICAL AMwiLS. 

speech and a free press, would give way to the despotism and 
censorship characteristic of the dominion of the Czar. 

On the other hand, the editor held that the bishop must 
be subject to the rules governing controversies, irrespective 
of his rank, just like any other person, as established by 
the General Conference of 1863, no exceptions being made 
for any one because of superior rank. The bishop refused 
to conform to this rule, and the publishers being his allies, 
permitted him to insert his productions in the advertising 
department of the paper, over which the editor had no control. 

Sentiment focalized rapidly around the contestants ; party 
lines were drawn more and more distinctly ; the minority 
being entirely on the defensive. Meanwhile the leading men 
of the church foresaw that a conflict at the approaching 
General Conference of 1887 was imminent. It was generally 
understood that Bishop Esher would prefer charges against 
the editor of the Evangelical Messenger ^ while counter charges 
were also probable. To such an extent did the Esher party 
pursue its questionable course to crush the liberal sentiment of 
the church, that a caucus was held by its leaders in Cleveland, 
O., at the house of an '^official," in the month of June, 1887. 
This caucus was presided over by a dignitary, and was at- 
tended by many of the faithful allies from the book estab- 
lishment and other places. To their shame and disgrace it 
must be said that they then and there conspired and planned 
the defeat and overthrow of all who were in accord with 
the minority. Talented, consecrated, inoffensive men were 
marked to be sacrificed. The meeting and action of this 
reprehensible conclave might never have been known outside 
of its own circle, had not one of the participants afterwards 
been led to see its injustice, and in 1893 made public confession 
thereof through the press. 

The Issues Joined. — The General Conference of 1887 
was the most momentous ever held in the history of the Evan- 
gelical Association. It now became a question whether the 
liberal and truly Evangelical polity of the first Delegate Con- 
ference of 1843, or a foreign ecclesiastical hierarchy, should 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 563 

henceforth prevail in the church. Immediately after the open- 
ing of the conference charges were preferred against H. B. 
Hartzler by Attorney E. B. Esher, son of Bishop Esher, 
Rev. M. Pfitzinger and Rev. George Vetter. The unlawful 
character of the charges, as well as the undisciplinary character 
of the trial is set forth in documents which follow. The trial 
court consisted of the conference, sitting as a committee of the 
whole, hence Bishop Esher himself sat as a Judge and served 
as 2l juror at the trial of his opponent. It may here be said 
that the issue at once resolved itself into a question, not of 
moral, but of numerical strength, hence the verdict was antici- 
pated before the trial actually began. 

The first question to be settled was whether the confer- 
ence had jurisdiction. Bishop Esher, the accused editor's 
public opponent, was in the chair, and decided in the affirma- 
tive. A protest was offered by the defendant against the pro- 
ceedings on the ground that the conference had no disciplinary 
jurisdiction in the case ; that the charges were vague, indefinite 
and inadequate, and that the moral and official conduct of the 
defendant now on trial, had been repeatedly approved, with a 
full knowledge of all the allegations of the plaintiff, by the 
bodies to which he was primarily amenable. To this protest 
the plaintiff offered a rejoinder. This action then brought the 
question of the regularity of the charges before the body. 
Bishop Dubs in the chair ruled against the plaintiff in the fol- 
lowing decision : 

1. Whenever charges are presented, the first requisite is the consideration 
of their legality. It must be determined whether the proper legal requirements 
have been complied with. 

These requirement have a twofold purpose : {a) the protection of the ac- 
cused against all summary dealing with him, by affording him ample oppor- 
tunity to defend himself against a too hasty procedure and an unjust judgment ; 
(3) the furnishing of the court with all the information essential to a correct 
knowledge of the guilt or innocence of the accused, thus enabling it to judge 
correctly and justly. 

The object of these requirements is, above all things else, the realization of 
this twofold purpose. 

2. It is the duty of the Plaintiff to comply with the legal requirements in 
the presentation of his charges, and the accused is under no obligation to call 
the attention of the Plaintiff to any illegalities or defects in his bill of charges 
prior to the time of investigation, but it is his privilege to do so at the time of 
the opening of the trial. 

Technical questions assume the following character: (i) are they before 



564 THE EVANGELICAL ANWALS. 

the proper tribuffsf ? (2) are the charges fornssskted in accor^gtwre ^ih the 
provisions of the law ? 

The first of these questions was decided yester^y, the other is now be- 
fore us. 

3. In this case the Defendant did call the attention of the PlaintSffi to the 
•irregularity of the charge in form, as it appeared to him^ and the indefmiteness 
.of its specifications, and requested that he be furnished elearcr specifications. 
The Plaintiff was not under obligation to grant the request of the Defendant,. 
;but, inasmuch as the Defendant has called attention to this^ matter and requests, 
ithe decision of this body, it is incuirabent upon us to decide whether his obj.ec- 
stion is well taken, and whether it shall be confirmed. 

4. The action of the Defendant shows that he does not seek to evade a trial! 
by availing himself of technicalities, since, in that event, he would not have 
called the attention of the PlaintifE to the same. 

This, though it cannot be decisive, should at least be taken; into considera- 
tion in our inquiry into his present objectiosas. The demand for a more specific 
statement of the charges and more definite specifications be based' upon the fact 
that this is essential to enable him to fully prepare his defease, and, that 
legally, he is entitled thereto. 

5. On this point the court is required to* consider that each specification 
3nust be voted upon whether it is proven or not, and for that reason, clearness 
and definiteness of statement are indispensable.. Specifications must be stated 
clearly in order to enable the court to vote intelligently. When shall this be 
done ? The Defendant is to meet the charges and defend himself. When shall 
his request be granted, so that he may be able to prepare his defense ? 

6. This body being the highest tribunal s^f our church and^ since by the 
decision regarding the powers of the court, the Defendant has virtually lost his 
right of appeal, and it is important that we act very cautiously on all these 
points. Moreover, the charges are of such a character that Defendant, if found 
guilty, may have to endure the severest penalty the church can inflict. 

We may not have definite directions how to proceed with every particular 
phase of a trial, but in cases where such directions are wanting we should not 
act contrary to the definite declarations of such tegal provisions as are universally 
recognized and generally sanctioned in cases of charge and investigations, and 
in accordance with these provisions the objections of the Defendant are to be 
considered. 

7. Our entire course of procedure in a trial is upon the broad basis, recog- 
nized universally, that the Defendant be definitely informed of what he is ac- 
cused, for what he is called to account, that he may be able to prepare his de- 
fense. For this reason, also, his objections should be considered. 

8. Charges should be stated concisely and briefly, plainly designating the 
charges to be investigated and naming the offenses upon which it is based. 
The specifications should immediately follow the charges which they are to 
prove. A specification must allege a fact, and that must designate the relation 
of the alleged fact to the Defendant, also the time when and the place where 
the alleged fact, or facts, shall have occurred should be stated as definitely as pos- 
sible. 

And, whereas, these requirements have not been compiled with in all points 
of the charges in question, therefore the charges shall be referred back to the 
Plaintiff for amendature on these points. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 565 

Immediately after this ruling, Bishop Bowman offered the 
following appeal from the chairman's decision : 

Whereas, Neither in our book of Discipline, nor by any enactment of 
General Conference, any form has been laid down, according to which charges 
must be preferred, hence every one preferring charges, must be allowed to use 
his own judgment ; and. 

Whereas, The matter before us is one of the greatest importance to our 
church, and ought to be decided upon the broad principle of righteousness 
and truth, I therefore appeal from the decision of the chair, to this conference, 
that the charges and specifications are in sufficient legal form for us to proceed 
with the trial. 

Any one familiar with the laws and usages of the Evangel- 
ical Association will know that the appeal of Bishop Bowman 
is a piece of transparent sophistry. The fact is, that full and 
explicit provisions are made for such cases in the Discipline, 
but for the purposes of the '* majority" they were then, and 
have been ever since, ignored or perverted, to suit their pur- 
poses. The appeal, of course, prevailed by a strictly party 
vote, and the farce, miscalled a ''trial," began, continuing over 
three weeks, during which time all the issues involved were 
thoroughly canvassed, the outcome being a verdict of ''guilty" 
pronounced by a vote of 57 to 47. A committee of thirteen 
was appointed to formulate a sentence, which was as follows : 

Whereas, The specifications under the charges against Rev. H. B. Hartz- 
LER have been sustained by General Conference, and in view that this in- 
volves the severest penalty in the jurisdiction of our church for such offenses, 
but the General Conference prefers the mildest sentence ; be it 

Resolved^ That Rev. H. B. Hartzler be deposed from the office as editor 
of the Evangelical Messenger. 

Great was the dissatisfaction of the friends of Hartz- 
ler, and the "trial" was freely declared an outrage and a 
travesty on justice. Hence the following protest, signed by 
forty-one delegates, was presented to conference : 

Protest of the Minority. 

We, the undersigned members of the General Conference of the Evan- 
gelical Association, in Buffalo assembled, September, 1887, having heard the 
charges, specifications and evidence in the matter of the charges by Reverend 
M. Pfitzinger and others against Reverend H. B. Hartzler, are thoroughly 
convinced that the said charges and specifications were too indefinite and un- 
certain to warrant a hearing thereon by this body, in harmony with the laws 
and usages of our church, and that the evidence adduced by the prosecution 
is wholly insufficient to warrant a verdict of guilty under said charges and 
specifications. 



566 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

We are further convinced that much of the evidence introduced by the 
prosecution was wholly irrelevant and immaterial, and calculated to prejudice 
the minds of many of the members of this conference against the Defendant, 
and that the method employed by the prosecution in obtaining much of said 
evidence was unfair towards the accused, whereby he was prevented from hav- 
ing a fair and impartial trial in said case. 

We are further convinced that the secret petition wherein the accused was 
pronounced guilty of a violation of our Discipline, and wherein he, the ac- 
cused, was vilified and slandered, which petition was written by M. Pfitzinger, 
one of the accusers, and by him caused to be circulated through a portion of 
our church, for the signatures of ministers and laymen, long before the session 
of this conference, had a great influence upon the minds of many members of 
this conference, and that thereby they became prejudiced against the accused, 
so that he was prevented from having a fair and impartial trial. 

That we characterize the conduct of said M. Pfitzinger, in writing and 
circulating the said petition, as an act wholly at variance with the Discipline of 
our church, and contrary to the teachings of God's word. 

And further; it is our opinion that this matter is illegally before this 
body, because of the matters charged against Brother Hartzler were well and 
publicly known prior to the latest sessions of the Ohio Conference, to which 
he is accountable for his moral conduct, and the Board of Publication, to which 
he is accountable for his official conduct, and both these bodies passed his 
character without any objection. 

Moreover, the Discipline, in the only rule given for the trial of editors, 
requires a two-thirds vote for conviction and deposing from office, and from 
that decision the accused has an appeal, while in the case of Brother Hartzler 
the accused has no appeal, although a vote for conviction was carried by a mere 
majority of this body. 

Wherefore, by reason of the premises herein, we consider the verdict of 
"guilty" unwarranted and unjust, and we hereby, in the name of our con- 
stituency, numbering nearly one-half of the Evangelical Association, solemnly 
protest against any further action in the matter of said charges, and demand 
that this, our formal protest, together with our names, which are hereto sub- 
scribed, shall be spread at length upon the records of this Conference, and 
published in the printed Journal of the proceedings thereof, and that a copy 
hereof be published in each of our weekly periodicals. (Signed by forty-one 
delegates, ) 

Bishop Bowman occupied the chair when this protest was 
presented. The simple request of the protestants, to allow 
their paper to be placed on the records of the conference, 
was refused, and all debate on the subject was cut off by him 
on the ground that the Protest contained allegations that were 
untrue, and that it was rebellion against the authority of the 
church. 

The reception of this document, couched infirm but respect- 
ful language, and signed by almost one-half of the delegates, 
would have been in accordance with parliamentary usage, and 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 567 

in keeping with a brotherly and Christian spirit. Its refusal, 
and the subsequent abuse of the protestants, in the church 
periodicals, with no opportunity of defense, was in strict ac- 
cordance with *' Majority'' intolerance, and was a potent factor 
in the difficulties which followed. 

Bishop EsHER and his allies gained their end, but paid the 
price of conquest with the disruption of the church. He and 
nearly all his candidates were elected to fill the offices of the 
church, but their cup of rejoicing was mingled with the bitter 
dregs of disappointment, for Rudolph Dubs, Esher's noted 
rival, was also reelected. 

The conference adjourned amid great dissatisfaction. A 
number of delegates departed before its close, while others re- 
fused to allow their names to be appended to the records as a 
token of acquiescence. 

With the close of this conference an ecclesiastical despot- 
ism was manifestly inaugurated, by the institution of an in- 
quisition, which has continued to the time of this writing, and 
the severity of which has only been limited by the protection 
afforded by the civil law. Immediately after the conference, 
men, who had ventured to criticise the <' majority's " unevan- 
gelical course, were deposed from the ministry and expelled 
from the church by strictly partisan tribunals. The official 
papers now being under the control of bitter partisans, con- 
tained the most rancorous attacks upon the *' Minority," 
but when the latter attempted to reply, in vindication of their 
position, the columns of the paper were closed against them. 
This made the establishment of another medium an absolute 
necessity, hence, soon after the General Conference, the Evan- 
gelical Publishing Company was established and incorporated 
at Harrisburg, Pa., and a weekly periodical called "Thg Evan- 
gelical,'* was issued, the first number bearing date of Novem- 
ber 14, 1887 . 

At the sessions of the annual conferences in 1888 diver- 
gent sentiments became openly manifest, the position of the 
''majority" being endorsed by some, while by a number of ''mi- 
nority" conferences the reverse action was taken, and the dele- 
gates to said General Conference who refused to sign its pro- 
ceedings were vindicated. 

In 1888 open attacks were made on Bishop Dubs by Bishop 
Bowman and others, but he remained silent, under all their as- 



568 THE EVANGELICAL ANNAUJ. 

saults, although he knew his official destruction was decreed by 
them. 

In 1889 party relations became more strained than ever. 
The attack on Bishop Dubs continued, and new assailants ap- 
peared on the scene. Bishop Esher now came out publicly 
against him, revived all his old charges of falsehood and slan- 
der, and insinuated that he had never retracted them. Bishop 
Dubs was now forced to reply, but when his chief article of 
vindication was placed in the hands of the official editors, he 
too found the church organs closed against him. His time had 
come ; he was marked for destruction. 

About this time the truly Evangelical portion of the church 
was shocked by the publication of a declaration by Bishop 
Esher, confessing that he had deceived the General Con- 
ference of 1883, by making a false statement before that 
body in regard to his relations with Bishop Dubs. Here are 
his own words : "/ af last yielded, against my own knowledge 
and conviction {may God and the Church pardon') adfnitted that 
clear and positive untruth might be a matter of misunderstanding, 
and on the following morning so stated in the General Confer- 
ence.^^ {Ev. Messenger, Feb. 11, i8go.) This has reference ta 
Esher's retraction of the charge of falsehood against Dubs, 
already referred to. 

Events now culminated rapidly ; we can only touch on the 
leading ones. In February, 1890, Bishop Dubs was cited to 
appear before a partisan tribunal in Cleveland, O., to an- 
swer a long array of charges, emanating (as was held) from 
Esher, and in which his son, the attorney, again appeared as- 
prosecutor, as he had been against Editor Hartzler. Bishop 
Bowman and Esher bore an active part in the so-called trial. 
The only penalty this court could inflict was a suspension from 
office until the next General Conference. This verdict Bishop 
Dubs respected. He ceased to perform the functions of a 
minister, removed to Chicago, and became the editor of the 
'^Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung,'' which, like The Evangelical, 
championed the cause of the ** minority." 

In March, 1890, Bishops Esher and Bowman were also sus- 
pended for moral and official misconduct, by competent tri- 
bunals, the former at Reading, Pa., and the latter at Chicago, 
111. At this stage of alfairs a shrewd scheme of Esher and his 
adherents came to light. It seems that both he and Bowman 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 56» 

anticipated that disciplinary action would be instituted against 
them, and this they determined to forestall by a secret mock ex- 
amination of themselves by three of their personal friends. 
This so-called examination was not held in accordance with 
the provisions of the Discipline, and was a secret affair, and 
when active proceedings were instituted the result of the so- 
called investigation was published and they claimed exemption 
from any further trial. They repudiated the verdict of the 
committees, mutually exonerated each other in the '^official" 
organs, and declared *'by the power in them vested,'' that all 
their accusers and all who had participated in their trials had 
rebelled against the order and authority of the church, and had 
thereby forfeited their membership. This embraced sixty-three 
ministers, many of them among the leading men of the church. 
EsHER and Bowman now forced the disruption of the 
church. While under charges, Esher appeared at the session 
of the Platte River Conference, in March, 1890, to preside. 
The conference refused his presidency, because he was under 
charges, whereupon he declared the entire conference had 
** ceased to exist," and later he and Bowman, '<by the power 
in them vested," pretended to excind the conference by episco- 
pal edict. In April Esher appeared before the Illinois Con- 
ference to preside. He was then under suspension, and was 
refused the presidency, when he retired, with about one-third 
of the ministers, to another church, and organized a rival con- 
ference. Bowman, in March, attempted to preside at the Des 
Moines Conference, and upon being refused, retired with half 
a dozen members, and organized a rival conference in a hotel. 
On May 2d, he appeared at the session of the Oregon Confer- 
ence, but was denied the presidency, whereupon he and his fol- 
lowers became boisterous and disorderly in their attempt to 
gain control of the organization, Bishop Bowman so far for- 
getting himself as to become quite violent, at the same time 
saying, ^'I suspend you in the name of God." The confer- 
ence, however, was organized, with J. Bowersox as president 
and J. L. Hershner as secretary, after which they withdrew 
with about two-thirds of the conference to a near-by Metho- 
dist church which was offered them and where the session was 
held. Bishop Bowman, of course, organized a rival confer- 
ence with his adherents, and thus completed the division of 
the church on the Pacific Coast. They did not attempt to^ 



570 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

hold the Central Pa. and Pittsburg Conferences. With the ex- 
ception of the East Pennsylvania, they had a majority of ad- 
iierents in the other conferences, and presided. 

The General Conferences of 1891. — In the proceed- 
ings of 1887, the reader will see that instead of appointing 
the place of the next conference, that duty was delegated to the 
Board of Publication in violation of the seventy-first section of 
the Discipline, which provides as follows : '^The time and place 
of the General Conference shall be appointed by the bishops, 
with the consent of the majority of the conference ; and if there 
be no bishop present, the General Conference shall do it by a 
majority of votes, or the oldest annual conference, who then 
shall give all the other annual conferences due notice of the 
time and place." 

The year 1891 was indeed eventful. In order to complete 
the division. Bowman appeared before the East Pennsylvania, 
the Central and the Pittsburg Conferences, the three larger 
conferences in the church. Being refused the presidency in 
each case, he attempted to force a division, but did not succeed, 
except at the first-named conference^ where about one-fourth of 
the ministers went with him. 

The Board of Publication selected Indianapolis, Indiana, 
while East Pennsylvania Conference, in conformity with the Dis- 
cipline, appointed Philadelphia as the place of the next Gen- 
eral Conference, consequently the conferences known as the 
minority elected their delegates to attend the Disciplinary Con- 
ference, while the conferences adhering to Esher and Bowman, 
with one exception, instructed to attend the Indianapolis Con- 
ference. 

The rival conferences met at the places named in October, 
1891. At Indianapolis the unlawful and 'unchristian conduct 
of Bishops Esher and Bowman was approved and vindicated, 
and they were of course reelected to office. All the arbitrary 
powers they had assumed were legalized and all the undisciplin- 
ary powers which Esher had for many years arrogated to him- 
self and against which the true Evangelical Association had 
earnestly contended, were now engrafted on the so-called Esher 
branch of the church. This system of centralized power, which 
is wholly foreign to the genius of the church, constituted what 
■vwas then commonly denominated ''Esherism." 

The Philadelphia Conference removed the suspension from 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 571 

Bishop Dubs and reelected him to the office of bishop and C. 
S. Haman, of the East Pennsylvania, and W. M. Stanford, of 
the Pittsburg Conference, were newly elected to this office. 
The suspension of Esher and Bowman was confirmed, and they 
were deposed from the ministry and expelled from the church. 
Both conferences elected a full complement of officials for the 
various offices of the church. 

The division was now fully established. About two-fifths 
of the members of the church adhered to the Philadelphia Con- 
ference, and constituted what was called the minority. 

Responsibility for the Division. — With one voice the 
minority declare J. J. Esher to be the cause of the division 
of the church. This conclusion is based on a number of facts 
that have long been the subject of general comment. The 
minority claim, for example, that in the administration of his 
office, the bishop had discriminated in various ways against 
some of the annual conferences in which his episcopal will 
could not have free course. They assert that they were made 
to see and feel, more and more, that in thought and feeling 
and purpose the bishop was antagonistic and alien to the spirit 
and life of these conferences. They believed themselves to be 
designedly slighted and depreciated, to the advantage of an 
element in the church which was more subservient to his will 
than they. 

During the General Conference of 1887, he was entreated 
by one of the oldest and most honored ministers of the church 
to step into the breach and heal the disaffection, because he 
alone was able to do it. This entreaty he spurned. In 1889 
he personally supervised a secret movement among the laymen 
of the Illinois Conference to reject and withhold support from 
dissenting ministers. 

In the Spring of 1890, a movement was made by Dr. H. K. 
Carroll, Religious Editor of the New York Independent, and 
seconded by some of the most influential men of various de- 
nominations, looking towards an adjustment of the difficulties. 
To this proposal the minority gave their hearty assent. A peti- 
tion to this effect, signed by 441 minority ministers, was pub- 
lished in the columns of the Independent. The whole scheme, 
however, failed, because of the irreconcilability of Esher, 
who loudly protested, in the official organs, against reconcilia- 



572 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

tion. He declared that ^^ compromise is unthinkable. We have 
nothing to arb Urate. ^^ At the Philadelphia convention of lay- 
men, direct communication was opened with a similar body at 
the Indianapolis Conference, with the same end in view, which 
also failed, as is held, by the direct intervention of Esher. 

The True Evangelical Association.— Reference should 
here be made to Bishop Bowman's attempt to show that the 
difficulties, which culminated in disruption, arose in the oppo- 
sition of the so-called minority to the doctrine of holiness as 
held by the church. Perhaps the strongest argument to refute 
the illy disguised assumptions of Bowman will be found in the 
organs of the church. An examination of all the volumes of 
The Living Epistle, the holiness organ of the church, reveals 
the fact, that of all the living contributors to that magazine 
while it was a distinctively holiness periodical (1869-1875), 
about two-thirds cast their lot on the side of the minority. 
During the period when the discussion of that pliase of doctrine 
was at its height in the church. Bishop Bowman does not ap- 
pear as a contributor of the magazine, while Bishop Dubs ap- 
pears prominently, as also such minority leaders as Rev. S. L. 
WiEST, who was one of the original proprietors of this maga- 
zine ; Dr. H. B. Hartzler, who for a number of years has 
been an esteemed co-worker with Evangelist DwightL. Moody; 
Rev. D. B. Byers, one of the minority leaders in Illinois ; Rev. 
J, M. Ettinger, for some years the editor of The Evangelical, 
and others of recognized prominence. 

On the other hand, the minority claim to represent the true 
spirit and genius of the church. Their strongest claim to this 
distinction is their steady opposition to the encroachment of 
an ecclesiastical hierarchy foreign to its original genius, and a 
strict adherence to the Discipline. In addition to this, it is a 
significant fact that the original people and territory adhere to 
the minority. 

In 1 89 1 it was ascertained by the author that all the old 
appointments established by the founders of the church, and 
which are still maintained, are on the side of the minority. By 
a careful canvass he also ascertained that there were still living 
thirty-one ministers of the church who entered the ministry 
prior to Esher (1845), of these, eighteen were pronounced op- 
ponents of Esher, and of the remaining thirteen, a number 
were confessedly neutral. One of the opponents of Esher was 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 573 

the oldest minister of the church, Joseph M. Saylor, who 
entered the work in 1824, and who declared to the last moment 
of his life that Esher had *' split" the church. 



CHAPTER II. 



A Summary History of the Minority Conferences, 
1888-1898. 

1888. East Pa. Conference convened Feb. 23 in Norris« 
town, Pa. Bishop R. Dubs, president ; W. A. Leopold, secre- 
tary. The following were licensed to preach : J. A. Weidel, 
F. Becker, C. L. Oswald, R. T. Lenhart, G. A. Marquart, 
A. L. Erisman, p. Gruver and S. K. Huebner. Ordained as 
Elders — I. U. Royer, A. H. Snyder and J. P. Miller. Dea- 
cons — G. A. Knerr, C. C. Speicher and J. D. Acker. W. E. 
Waltz, missionary in Japan, was voted elder's orders. B. J. 
Smoyer and A. M. Stirk were reelected, and S. S. Chubb newly 
elected to the office of presiding elder. S. L. Wiest, former 
corresponding secretary of the Missionary Society, was again re- 
ceived, and J. C. HoRNBERGERandS. O. McCurdy were granted 
credentials. Rev. J. Hartzler and Mrs. Dr. F. Krecker, re- 
turned missionaries from Japan, addressed the conference. 

1888. Central Pa. Conference met in Lewisburg, Pa.,. 
March i, Bishop R. Dubs, president; A. Stapleton, secretary. 
Licensed to preach — J. W. Thompson, L. S. Reichard, A. 
Rearick, W. C. Bierly, Charles Frey, W. M. Morris, J. W. 
Smith, Elmer S. Kessler, Harry Minsker, Ira E. Spangler,. 
S. S. MuMEY, J. L. Davis and T. L. Frymyer. Deacon's orders 
were voted G. B. Galligher, J. Womeldorf, C. J. Dick and 
J. Lauber. Elder's orders were granted M. J. Snyder. G. H. 
Schleh was deposed. C. F. Gephart and E. O. Goodling 
withdrew. J. H. Peters was granted credentials to the Platte 
River Conference. H. B. Hartzler, D. D., formerly editor 
of the Ev. Messenger, and member of the Ohio Conference, 
was again received int@ this conference. J. M. Ettinger was 
reelected and Jacob Hartzler newly elected to the office of 

574 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. STS- 

presiding elder. Prof. G. E. Holtzapfel, a local preacher,, 
was received from the East Pa. Conference. 

1888, Pittsburg Conference, Johnstown, Pa., April 19. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president; J. W. Domer, secretary. A. L. 
BuRKiTT was licensed to preach. Elder's orders were granted; 
to A. B. Day and A. W. Brickley ; Deacon's orders to A. J. 
Beale, C. E. McCauley and J. L. Mull. Died — J. Dick, G- 
W. .Risinger and J. Pfeifer, J. M. DeWoody (local) of the 
M. E. Church, and D. F. Platt, of the Ohio Conference, were 
received. W. B. Shafeer and L. D. Drake withdrew. B. L. 
Miller, F. J. Strayer, L. Scobert and T. G. Clewell were 
granted credentials. L. H. Hetrick was deposed. F. P. 
Saylor resigned the office of presiding elder and T. Bach wa& 
newly elected and D. P. K. Lavan and J. D. Domer were re- 
elected to the same. 

1888. Illinois Conference, Elgin, 111., April 12. Bishop 
Bowman, president ; George Vetter, German, and S. F. En- 
torf, English, secretaries. Licensed to preach — C. F. Essig, G.. 
FiDDER, J. F. DuNLAP, A. E. FuESSELE, F. Stevens, and C. 
Unangst. Elders order's were granted to D. F. Fox, W. A. 
Shultz, W. L. Walker and J. W. Eager. Deacon's orders — 
J. Alber, J. H. Keagel, D. W. Kerr, C. F. Kiest, J. J. Klopp,. 
H. Pope and J. Stengel. Died — J. F. Schnee, T. Hamilton,. 
M. Heyle and J. W. Himmel. J. Schneider, W. Huelster, 
H. Messner and A. Fuessele were reelected presiding elders. 
Thomas W. Woodside, a member of the conference under ap- 
pointment a6 missionary to Africa, took leave of his conference 
in a touching address. He was retained on the roll of the con- 
ference. 

1888, Des Moines Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Apri? 
5. J. J. Esher, president ; B. H. Niebel, secretary. M. A. 
Evans, Charles Pickford, A. L. Golden and A. L. Rucker 
were licensed to preach. Deacon's orders were granted to F. A. 
GossMAN. Credentials were granted O. Long, F. S. Locks 
and F. Methfessel. H. Kletzing and E. C. Wallace died 
during the year. 

1888. Platte River Conference, Shiloh Church, near Kene- 
saw. Neb., March 8. Bishop J. J. Esher, president ; T. W. Serf, 
secretary. Licensed to preach — M. L. Maize, F. Brookhart, 
G. S. Smith, M. B. Young, L. A. Kinsey and W. S. Larmon. 
P. H. Hines was granted deacon's orders. Jonas Strohm 



576 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

(a former itinerant of the Ohio Conference), died. J. H. 
Peters, of the Central Pa. Conference, was received. The 
conference was divided into two presiding elder districts. C. 
W. Anthony and A. W. Shenberger were elected presiding 
elders. 

1888, Oregon Conference, East Portland, Ore., May 4. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; C. C. Poling, secretary. A. M. 
Mell and F. W. Parker were licensed to preach. J. M. Beau- 
champ and H. L. Pratt were granted deacon's orders. I. B. 
Fisher and F. L. Locke were received from other conferences, 
and G. F. Burnett, M. R. Shaver and J. A. Ray received 
from other churches. C. J. Miller and A. Schlenk were 
granted credentials. C. C. Poling was newly elected and J. 
BowERSOX reelected presiding elders. 

Notes. — The dissensions of the church became painfully 
manifest this year. At a number of the conferences resolutions 
were adopted condemning the publication and circulation of 
the newly published Evangelical. Ministers were prohibited 
under penalty from taking subscriptions for it, and in one in- 
stance the support of an aged superannuated preacher was 
cut off for circulating it, namely. Father A. Loehner, of the 
Ohio Conference. Vigorous attacks were made in the officia] 
papers upon many prominent men on the minority side, who 
were denied their disciplinary right to reply to the attacks in 
those papers. 

The Bruder Bund Exposure. — At the General Conference 
of 1887 it was discovered that a secret, oath-bound compact ex- 
isted among some of the leading men of the church for the 
mutual furtherance of their selfish ends. Its existence, how- 
ever, was strenuously denied by the majority side. This de- 
nial was far from conclusive, as in April of this year the con- 
stitution of such a *'bund" existing between several members 
of the Japan Mission was published in the Evangelical^ one of 
the ministers declaring that he had been a member of the com- 
pact. In the California Conference another minister made, a 
similar confession and laid before the conference a copy of the 
constitution, as follows : * 

Compact between * * * * and * * * * wherein the under- 
signed in the name of God, and upon their honor and fidelity, form a com- 

* We omit the names. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 577 

pact on the following points : (i) Daily to pray and love each other. (2) To 
be helpful to each other. (3) To show to each other the deepest and most inti- 
mate familiarity and attachment under all circumstances of life, the marriage 
relation excepted. (4) In particular to communicate to each other everything, 
especially all slanderous reports that may be put into circulation, and when it 
may be necessary, to defend each other with the utmost decision, even if we 
make enemies thereby. (5) To no human being shall our compact be com- 
municated, nor shall anybody know anything about it, except our wives. (6) 
If all our friends should forsake us, yet will we, in spite of friend and foe, hold 
firmly and decidedly together. (7) Only by mutual agreement can the above 
points be changed, or any other persons be received into this Bund. 

The exposure of these secret compacts created great excite- 
ment and distrust throughout the church. The pernicious char- 
acter of the **Bund" was ably and fearlessly exposed in the 
Evangelical^ and no doubt its power for evil was thus curtailed, 
as in a few years the fears and discussions occasioned by the 
disclosures subsided. 

1889. East Pa. Conference, Pottsville, Pa., Feb. 28. 
Bishop T. Bowman, president ; W. A. Leopold, secretary. 
Licensed to preach — H. W. Behney, B. F. Egner, J. H. 
Smith, J. S. Heisler, A. H. Martin, E. Wolf, G. W. Han- 
gen, C. W. Heffner, a. M. Sweigert, W. H. Hartzler and 
J. G. BouGHTER. Elder's orders were granted to T. L. Wentz, 
A. E. Williams, B. C. Krupp, J. M. Shoop, A. G. Brunner 
and W. W. Yost. Deacon's orders — D. S. Manning, J. B. 
EsENWEiN and C. E. Hess, also Mikuna Uyeno, of Japan. D. 
A. Medlar was newly elected presiding elder. Died — F. 
Krecker, Dec. 27, 1888, aged 72 y. ; H. Stoetzel, Jan. 27, 
1889, aged 80 y.; D. Wieand, Feb. 21, aged 74 y. J. Frey, H. 
R. Yost and U. H. Hershey. D. A. Medlar was newly elected 
presiding elder. 

1889. Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 
7. J. J. Esher, president ; A. Stapleton, secretary. Li- 
censed to preach — E. B. Bailey, W. E. Brillhart, W. Simp- 
son, D. A. Artman and J. P. Buchner. Elder's orders were 
granted to C. V. B. Aurand, M. I. Jamison, C. L. Sones, C. 
D. Moore and Jazo Takano, of Japan. Deacons' orders — 
D. M. Metzger. E. S. Bollinger took credentials for the 
Oregon Conference. S. M. Mountz withdrew. S. E. Davis, 
a former member, was received from the Oregon Conference. 
Died — C. F. Deininger, itinerant, and J. C. Mergenthaler 
and George Gohn, local preachers. 



578 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Note. — Rev. C. F. Deininger, died July 17, 1888, aged 62 
years. He entered the ministry in 1850. He was sent in 1864 
as the first missionary of the church to the Pacific Coast. Re- 
maining there a number of years, he returned to his confer- 
ence, and was elected presiding elder, and served Carlisle and 
York District. He was pastor of the Bethlehem congregation, 
York, Pa., at the time of his death. 

1889. Pittsburg Conference, Brookville, Pa., March 21. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; J. W. Domer, secretary. Licensed 
to preach — H. Cook, W. Sorber, A. A. Mohney, F. W. Ware, 
H. RoBB, W. S. Jenkins and J. H. Booser. Elder's orders 
were granted C. F. Floto, C. D. Slagel, J. H. Shimp and J. 
Smith. Deacon's orders — -W. W. Elrick, G. M. Alshouse, 
J. M. Weaver, E. C. Rickenbrodt, E. W. Rishel and P. 
Berkey. S. S. Condo was received from the Ohio Confer- 
ence. I. A. RoHLAND was reelected presiding elder. 

1889. Illinois Conference, Barrington, 111., April 11. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president ; M. Stamm, German, and S. F. 
Entorf English secretaries. Licensed to preach — L. A. Town- 
send and Yendo Chotaro, of Japan. J. Divan, H. H. 
Thoren, H. Moser, C. Vaubel and G. Barth were ordained 
elders, and C. N. Dubs, W. Forkel, E. W. Huelster and F. 
W. Landwer were ordained deacons. C. N. Dubs, of the 
Erie Conference, was received. Credentials were granted W. 
T. Frey. Died — Jacob Shaefele. 

1889. Des Moines Conference, Afton, Iowa, March 28, 
R. Dubs, president; B. H. Niebel, secretary. Licensed to 
preach — E. Hawn, D. W. Rose, G. Bancroft, M. A. Shel- 
don, J. B. Edie and G. L. Kolb. Elder's orders were granted 
L. Staufacher, N. Day, andN. B. Niebel. Deacon's orders — 
C. Lang, L. A. Jones, M. A. Evans, J. W. McCurdy, and 
George McNealy. O. Long was received. J. Auracher and 
B. H. Niebel were elected presiding elders. 

1889. Platte River Conference, Lexington, Neb., March 
15. T. Bowman, president; T. W. Serf, secretary. Hon. J. 
Whitehead and F. Mason were licensed to preach. S. B. 
DiLLOW, J. W. Nye and L. G. Brooker were ordained elders, 
and J. P. Ash and R. F. Myers deacons. J. Richards and 
S. B. Anderson withdrew. 

1889. Oregon Conference, Corvalis, Ore., May 2. J. J. 
Esher, president ; J. L. Hershner, secretary ; T. T. Vincent 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 579 

and G. McElroy were licensed to preach. E. S. Bollinger 
and F. S. Locke were granted elder's orders. F. W. Parker 
withdrew. Credentials were granted S. E. Davis to the Central 
Pa. Conference and A. Ernest was received, also M. Bur- 
LiNGAME, from the M. E. Church. 

Notes. — The controversies of the two opposing elements 
of the church assumed a very serious form during this year. 
December ii, 1888, Bishop Esher published a proclamation 
in the official organs of the church in which the Minority peo- 
ple were charged as being **the instigators and promoters of a 
movement" which he designated as being <'from below," 
^* Seditious," **a work of the evil one," **a crime against the 
body of Christ." This publication gave most serious offense, 
and nearly all the Minority conferences at their following ses- 
sions passed resolutions deploring its intemperate language, de- 
nying, as untrue, its insinuations, and disclaiming any inten- 
tion on the part of the minority to oppose the authority of the 
church, if administered in accordance with the Discipline. In 
the same periodical of May 21, 1889, Bishop Bowman added 
fresh fuel to the fire by the publication of an article entitled, 
**The Issue Made Up," in which he clearly foreshadowed the 
division of the churcfi. Personal attacks were also made ^n 
the official organs on Bish'op R. Dubs, by his colleagues Esher 
and Bowman, also by M. Pfitzinger and E. B. Esher, son of 
the Bishop. It was quite manifest from these communications, 
that their object was the overthrow of Bishop Dubs, who was 
regarded as siding with the minority, although he had hitherto 
maintained a discreet silence. Bishop Dubs replied to these 
attacks in the spirit of meekness, but was eventually barred 
from the church papers as a means of self-defense. 

In the spring of this year an ably written pamphlet on the 
trial of Dr. H. B. Hartzler, by Rev. W. F. Heil, was pub- 
lished by the Evangelical Publishing Co. The issue of this 
work gave the laity of the church an opportunity to learn for 
themselves something of the utterly corrupt methods by which 
Dr. Hartzler's enemies sought his overthrow. 

1890. East Pa. Conference, Shamokin, Pa. Feb. 27. 
J. J. Esher, president ; W. A. Leopold, secretary. J. L. 
Painter, S. P. Fry, H. D. Kreidler, H. H. Smith, S. P. 
Erisman, G. W. Imboden, W. E. Frederick, H. F. Schlegel. 
T. Knecht and J. E. Steele were licensed to preach. Elder'b 



590 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

orders were granted to G. A. Knerr, H. Dutill and H. A. 
Smith. Deacon's orders to E. Romig, W. S. Harris and 
A. S. Kresge. Superannuated — C. H. Baker, N. Gabel, C. 
GiNGERicH, J. K. Knerr, J. M. Saylor, J. O. Lehr, A. 
Zingenfuss, T. Harper, F. Hoffman, A. Dilabar and I. 
Hess. Died during the year — A. F. Leopold, F. W. G. Becker, 
E. Shultz and W. Rodgers. W. F. Heil was newly elected 
and C. S. Haman reelected presiding elder. T. A. Hess was 
granted credentials. 

1890. Central Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 6. M. 
J. Carothers, president ; A. Stapleton, secretary. C. W. 
Siegfried and W. J. Campbell were licensed to preach. Elder's 
orders were voted J. Womeldorf, C. J. Dick, E. W. Koontz 
and W. Minsker. Deacon's orders to G. L. Maice, H. W. 
Freed and B. Crailey. J. H. Irvine and F. S. Vought with- 
drew. W. L. Beaumont took credentials for the Oregon Con- 
ference. P. W. Raidabaugh, a former member of the confer- 
ence, was received from the Ohio Conference. J. M. Brader 
died at Warrensville, Pa., December 25, 1889, in the 50th year 
of his age, P. S. Orwig, superannuated, died at York, Pa., 
Jan. 7, 1890, aged 43 years. 

At this session the *< Educational Aid Society, of the Cen- 
tral Pa. Conference," was formed, for the purpose of affording 
financial assistance to indigent ministerial students who con- 
template entering the work of this conference. 

1890. Pittsburg Conference, Greensburgh, Ohio, March 
13. J. D. Domer, president; J. W. Domer, secretary. L. S. 
Wilkinson, P. D. Steelsmith, J. Schweisberger, G. W. 
Ringer, G. K. Allen and E. W. Smith were licensed to 
preach. Elder's orders were granted to, E. J. Beale, J. L. 
Mull and C. E. McCauley. Deacon's orders to A. L. Bur- 
KETT and J. SwARTZ. T. B. Cobun was received. M. J. Bal- 
entyne and F. J. Strayer took credentials for the Oregon 
Conference. 

The conference perfected an agreement with the Central Pa. 
Conference for an interest in Central Pennsylvania College. 
J. H. Spotts and L. B. Dunmyer died during the year, the 
latter in Aurora, Oregon, Dec. 16, 1889, aged 67 years. 

1890. Illinois Conference, Sheffield Avenue church, Chi- 
cago, 111., April 10. D. B. Byers, president; M. Stamm and 
S. F. Entorf, secretaries. Elder's orders were granted to F. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 581 

C. KiEST, J. H. Keagel, D. W. Kerr and J. Stengel. Dea- 
con's orders to H. L. Beightol, J. Michaels and J. G. Fidder. 
R. Dubs, Jr., was received from the Erie Conference. J. Meyer, 
and J. T. Haverfield withdrew. A. Rohrback, Samuel To- 
bias, S. Strassberger, S. Rickert and George Mover died 
during the year. D. B. Bvers, F. Busse and S. F. Entorf 
were elected presiding elders. 

1890. DesMoines Conference, DesMoines, Iowa, April 3. 
E. B. Utt, president; S. A. Walton, secretary. License was 
granted to C. J. W. Triem, S. H. Streyffeler and M. A. 
Sheldon. Deacon's orders were granted to C. E. Sheldon, G. 
L. Kolb, a. W. Mell, G. F. Kellev, Charles Pickford and 
G. W. McCracken. W. W. Shuler and J. H. Keagel, of the 
Illinois Conference, were received. 

1890, Platte River Conference, Beaver Crossing, Neb., 
March 13. E. L. Kiplinger, president ; J. H. Peters, secre- 
tary. W. M. Shank, R. M. Patterson and W. Kraemer were 
licensed to preach. Elder's orders were voted to P. H. Hines 
and J. J. Klopp. Deacon's orders to G. S. Smith, M. T. 
Maize and S. W. Patterson. J, J. Klopp, of the Illinois Con- 
ference, and S. W. Patterson, of the Presbyterian Church, 
were received. B. F. Myer took credentials. 

1890. Oregon Conference, Albany, Ore., May 2. J. 
BowERSOX, president ; J. L. Hershner, secretary. D. V. Pol- 
ing and O. S. Haines were licensed to preach. W. C. Kant- 
ner, of the East Pa., W. L. Beaumont, of Central, and M. J. 
Balentyne and F. J. Strayer, of the Pittsburg Conference, 
were received. Elder's orders were granted to H. L. Pratt 
and J. M. Beauchamp. 

Notes. — The factional difficulties of the church culminated 
this year in the deplorable disruption of a number of confer- 
ences and the institution of litigation, which did not cease 
until the law was appealed to over sixty times, on the part of 
the majority. Not only was the majority side responsible for 
the division of conferences, but also for the commencement of 
litigation. In October, 1889, E. B. Esher, son of Bishop 
EsHER and son-in-law of Bishop Bowman, began a libel suit 
in the U. S. Court at Philadelphia, Pa., against the editor and 
publisher of The Evangelical and the Evangelical Publishing 
Co., claiming fifty thousand dollars damages. Vigorous prep- 
arations for defense were made, but the case never came to a 



582 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

hearing, as Esher suffered a non-suit, April 14, 1890, by non 
appearance. The second legal action was instituted by the 
majority in Illinois, in April, 1890, for the possession of the 
conference records. Soon after the division of the Illinois 
Conference, in consequence of ministers of both factions being 
appointed to the same charges, many actions at law were begun 
for the possession of the pulpits, and with few exceptions, by 
the majority people. Civil proceedings were also instituted in 
several other states, with varying success to both sides. 

The most notable civil action was that of the minority 
people against the publishing house at Cleveland, Ohio, to re- 
strain the officials from withholding missionary money, divi- 
dends, etc. This case was decided by Judge Hamilton in favor 
of the contestants in October. 

With few exceptions the press, both civil and religious, was 
vehement in its denunciation of the treatment the minority re- 
ceived at the hands of the dominant faction. As an example of 
publicsentimentwegiveabrief extract from the Cleveland Leader , 
a leading western paper, on the action against Bishop Dubs : 

To the lay mind it looks as if the trial and conviction of Bishop Ru- 
dolph Dubs, of the Evangelical Association, in this city, last week, was about 
as gross an outrage as an ecclesiastical court could be guilty of. The packed 
committee of trial, the star chamber proceedings, the denials to the accused of 
the ordinary privileges allowed to defendants in all civil courts, the introduction 
of hearsay testimony, the latitude allowed for vile and wholly unsupported in- 
sinuations and the manifest malice of the prosecution and trial committee 
carry the mind back to the times of Bloody Mary, and the persecution of Bishop 
Cranmer. From a legal standpoint the evidence against Bishop Dubs was 
absolutely worthless, and would never have been entertained in even a justice's 
court. The learned and respected divine who is the victim of this travesty, on 
ecclesiastical jurisprudence could probably establish a case of criminal libel 
against his persecutors, were he so disposed. It is likely, however, that he will 
prefer to await the vindication that can hardly fail to come from the General 
Conference of his church. It is inconceivable that the verdict will be sustained. 

1891* East Pa. Conference, Allentown, Pa., Feb. 26. 
H. A. Neitz, president pro tern.-, C. S. Haman, permanent 
president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary. E. H. Kistler, J. A. 
Sellers, E. L. Watts, A. W. Brownmiller, H. P. Walter 
and F. Smith were licensed to preach. Elder's orders were 
granted to J. B. Esenwein, S. Buntz, C. E. Hess and J. D. 
Acker. Deacon's orders to C. L. Oswald, J. G. Boughter, 
G. W. Marquardt, D. F. Kostenbader, A. L. Erisman, W. 
H. Hartzler and H. W. Behney. H. W. Hartman, local 
preacher, was received from the Central Pa. Conference, also 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 583 

J. W. Cline, a deacon of the M. E. Church. A. Dilabar and 
R. T. Lenhart died. Father J. M. Saylor, the oldest minister 
of the church, both in years of life and of service, delivered an 
encouraging address. 

1891 Central Pa. Conference, Berwick, Pa., March 5. 
W. E. Detweiler, president ; A. Stapleton, secretary. M. T. 
Crouch, D. L. Kepner, J. H. Ferner, H. Bender, I. N. 
Bear, D. P. Shaeffer, W. Horn, E. E. Shaffer and U. S. 
Clark were licensed to preach. Deacon's orders were granted 
L. S. Reichard, J. P. BucHNER, S. E. KooNTZ, W. C. Bierley, 

E. L. Kessler, C. F. Garrett, H. B. Barshinger, W. E. 
Brillhart, J. W. Thompson, S. S. Mumey and J. F. Dunlap. 
Elder's orders, D. M. Metzger. J. L. Miller was deposed 
from the ministry and expelled from the church. J. M. Ettin- 
GER, because of failing health, resigned the office of presiding 
elder. W. E. Detweiler and A. H. Irvine were elected and 
H. W. Buck and M. J. Carothers reelected presiding elders. 

F. W. Raidabaugh took a letter of dismissal. Father Elias 
Stambach died July 13, 1890, aged 69 years. T. M. Morris 
died May 11, 1890, aged 52 years. 

1891* DesMoines Conference, Lisbon, Iowa, April 2. 
D. H. Kooker, president; S. A. Walton, secretary. R. C. 
Pippin, J. Percy, J. J. Borrows, L. Sturgis and M. W. 
Schraffer were licensed to preach. J. R. Edie was granted 
deacon's orders and C. Long elder's order. The following 
were received from the Iowa Conference : F. Beltzer, W. 
Jonas, Emil Mueller, H. Eller, Otto Gerhardt, J. J. 
Miller, H. Klinesorge, J. Henn, H. Lageschulte, C. A. 
Mueller, L. Beltzer, M. Trumbauer, H. Borchard, and 
J. H. Mayne. Sioux City district was formed, and W. Jonas, 
newly elected presiding elder, was appointed to the same. 

1891. Platte River Conference, Holdredge, Neb., March 
12. E. L. Kiplinger, president; J. H. Peters, secretary. 
M. B. Young and F. Brookhart were granted deacon's orders. 
Credentials were granted C. W. Anthony, J. Whitehead, S. A. 
Petit, D. P. Kline and N. F. Kletzing. C. W. Anthony re- 
signed as presiding elder and E. L. Kiplinger was elected to 
fill the vacancy. 

1891. Oregon Conference, Lafayette, Oregon, April 2. 
J. Bowersox, president; C. C. Poling, secretary; T. Suhr, of 
the California, A. W. Teats, of the Pittsburg, and N. F. Kletz 



584 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

iNG, of the Platte River Conference, were received. A. Parker 
and E. Currin were granted license to preach. T. A. Yost 
was granted deacon's orders. 

Notes. — This year marked the actual disruption of the 
church. The proposed arbitration by disinterested parties 
failed, as elsewhere noted, and the minority had no alternative 
but an ignominious surrender of their convictions and a cring- 
ing subserviency to an ecclesiastical dictatorship, on the one 
hand, or a -faithful adherence to the principles and spirit of the 
church as handed down by the fathers, on the other. They 
chose the latter, leaving the results to God, who judgeth right- 
eously. 

Already in 1889, representatives of the East Pa. Conference, 
which was the *^ oldest annual conference,'* asserted the dis- 
ciplinary rights of the conference in the church periodicals. 
Majority writers contended that there was no ** oldest" con- 
ference. This discussion embraces a considerable part of the 
controversial literature of 1890, and was one of the main issues 
in the litigation incidental to the disruption. When, therefore, 
the East Pa. Conference met in February, 1891, in Allentown, 
t»ke following resolutions were passed : 

Whereas, Our Church Discipline provides on page 56, sec. 71, that "The 
time and place of the General Conference shall be appointed by the bishops, 
with the consent of the majority of the conference ; and if there be no bishop 
present, the General Conference shall do it by a majority of votes, or the oldest 
annual conference, which then shall give the other annual conferences due notice 
of the time and place ;" and 

Whereas, The last General Conference appointed the time, but failed lo 
appoint the place ; therefore, 

Resolvedy That we, being tho oldest conference, consider it our right and 
our duty, under the Discipline, to appoint the place for the next General Con- 
ference, and that we now proceed to perform that duty, and appoint the place." 

The conference then appointed Christ church, Eighth Street, 
Philadelphia, Pa., as the place, and all the minority conferences 
elected delegates to attend this conference, while the majority 
delegates attended the conference held at Indianapolis, Ind. 

With the division of the East Pa. Conference, in 189 1, 
many actions of law were instituted by the opposition for the 
possession of churches, while the minority people permitted the 
EsHER people to retain, the churches wherever they had the con- 
trolling power. 



CHAPTER III. 



Philadelphia General Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,. 
Oct. I, 1891. 

The delegates of the minority of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, assembled in Christ Evangelical church, in Philadelphia, 
Pa., Oct. I, 1891. A temporary organization was effected with 
W. E. Detweiler, president ; C. A. Paeth, German, and J. H. 
Shirey, English, secretary. The permanent organization was- 
effected with C. S. Haman, president, and the previously elected 
secretaries, who chose for assistants, W. Huelster, S. F. En- 
torf, W. Jonas, U. F. Swengel, C. C. Poling, J. D. Wood- 
ring and B. H. Niebel. The usual rules were adopted and 
the various committees appointed. 

Letters and greetings were received from Father Joseph M. 
Saylor, at this time the oldest living minister of the church, 
an<l Abraham Niebel, Henry Rohland, David Mertz, Lewis 
Einsel, B. Hengst and J. O. Lehr. 

Honorary Members. — H. B. Hartzler, chaplain of D. L. 
Moody's school at Northfield, Mass., was invited to a seat 
within the conference bar, as also J. Keachele, who at this 
conference was received anew. 

Review of Trials. — The proceedings in the case of Bishop 
J. J. Esher, Thomas Bowman and R. Dubs were reviewed. 
The verdicts of guilty in the case of Esher and Bowman were 
sustained, and they were suspended from office and from the 
church. The verdict against Bishop Dubs was reversed, and 
he was fully restored. 

In the case of John Fuchs, of the South Indiana, George 
Harms, of the Wisconsin, and George Hasenpflug, of the 
Erie Conference, the verdicts of guilty were reversed and they 
were restored. In the case of J. L. Miller, of the Central Pa. 
Conference, the verdict was sustained, and his expulsion con-^ 
firmed. 

580 



58'3 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Disciplinary Changes. — Many disciplinary changes were 
adopted, but for reasons which may be inferred from subse- 
quent developments, never became operative, until original 
action was taken at the Naperville General Conference. 

Lay Representation. — A recommendation was adopted 
looking to the admission of lay delegates to annual and Gen- 
eral Conference. 

Memorial. — Action was taken on the death of C. Brill, Ex- 
Bishop W.W. Orwig, J. Schaefele, H. Schelp, J. M. GoMERand 
J. M. Saylor, the latter having died near the close of the confer- 
ence. 

The Keystone League of Christian Endeavor was 
adopted as an institution of the church, and the following were 
elected as a Managing Board for the ei\suing quadrennium : 
Ministers — U. F. Swengel, W. H. Fouke, J. B. Esenwein, 
H. H. Rassweiler, C. A. Paeth, Laymen — F. Pfunder, 
J. F. BoYER, W. C. Weiss and S. A. Smith. 

Resolutions. — Resolutions were adopted on Temperance, 
the Sabbath, Missions, Sunday-schools, Education, and the State 
of the Church. 

Statistics. — The statistics of the entire church were given 
as follows: Members, 150,310; itinerant preachers, 1218; 
local preachers, 632 ; churches, 2,058; parsonages, 691. 

Elections. — The following officials were elected : Bishops — 
R. Dubs, C. S. Haman and W. M. Stanford. Corresponding 
Secretary of the Missionary Society — B. J. Smoyer. Treasurer of 
of the Missionary Society — M. Kunkel, (a layman, of Chicago). 
Publisher — John Schneider. Editors — For the Christliche Bots- 
chafter, J. Kaechele ; Evangelical Messenger, W. Caton ; Ger- 
man Sunday School Literature — M. Stamm ; English Sunday 
School Literature — U. F. Swengel. Board of Publication : Min- 
isters — W. E. Detweiler, T. Bach, D. H. KooKERandE. L. Kip- 
linger; Laymen, J. Hendel, D. Z. Herr and T. L. Haines. 

The conference closed Oct. 16, to hold its next session at 
Naperville, 111. 

General Conference Delegates. 

East Pa. Conference, — C. S. Haman, B. J. Smoyer, S. S. 
Chubb, D. A. Medlar, W. F. Heil, A. M. Stirk, A. M. 
Sampsel, J. D. Woodring, J. H. Shirey, S. L. Wiest, R. M. 
Lichtenwalner,* J. M. Rinker. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 587 

Central Fa.—IA. J. Carothers, PI. W. Buck, W. E. Det- 
WEILER, J. Hartzler, A. H. Irvine, S. W. Seibert, U. F. 
SwENGEL, J. M. Ettinger, A. Stapleton,* W. N. Wallis,* 
A. L. Reeser. 

Pittsburg, — T. Bach, I. A. Rohland, J. D. Domer, W. M. 
Stanford, D. P. K. Lavan, G. W. Brown. 

Illinois. — D. B. Byers, J. Schneider, H. Messner, S. F. 
Entorf, C. a. Fuessele, F. Busse, W. Caton, W. Huelster, 
C. A. Paeth, M. Stamm, H. Meier,* W. H. Fouke.* 

Des Moines.—]. Auracher, E. B. Utt, B. H. Niebel, D. 
H. KooKER, W. Jonas, W. Klinefelter. 

Platte River. — E. L. Kiplinger, A. M. Shenberger, T. W. 
Serf, J. K, Peters.* 

Oregon. — J. Bowersox and C. C. Poling. 

The Lay Convention. 

In connection with the General Conference, a lay conven- 
tion met on the same date (Oct. i), in the lecture room of the 
church, closing Oct. 6 and reconvening Oct. 13, for one day. 
The permanent officers were, president, I. Bower ; vice-presi- 
dent, M. KuNKEL ; secretaries, W. C. Weiss and Jacob Alt ; 
treasurer, B. B. Kehler. The delegates to this convention 
were elected at district meetings, composed of a representative 
from each charge. 

The work of the convention was chiefly designed to bring 
about a reconciliation between the two factions into which the 
church was divided. Their object and plan being endorsed by 
resolution of the General Conference, telegraphic communica- 
tions were at once opened with the lay convention of the Indian- 
apolis General Conference. Thebeginning was auspicious, but 
the majority leaders of the Indianapolis Conference, notably 
Bishops Esher and Bowman, were pronounced in their oppo- 
sition, and the work of reconciliation failed. 

Resolutions were adopted deploring the indisposition of the 
Indianapolis gathering toward overtures of peace. The Gen- 
eral Conference was asked to open the way for lay representa- 
tion. The great issues on which the church stood divided were 
discussed, and the position of the minority strongly indorsed. 

*Alternates. 



588 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Delegates to the Lay Convention. 

East Pa. Conference. — J. Swartz, J. E. Huber, H. R^ 
Kreidler, J. H. Painter, J. G. Mohn, W. C. Weiss, J. K^ 
Maurer, W. G. Borgner, I. Christ, L. Watts, W. J. Egge, 

C. W. Bachman, L. F. Brensinger, B. K. Kehler, A. Rath- 
von. 

Central Pa.--^. L. Zerby, I. S. Frain, W. E. Page, Prof. 

D. M. Brungard, I. Bower, Dr. W. F. Vallerchamp, Prof. 
W. A. Spate, I. M. Dreisbach, C. T. Heil, W. E. Wollet, 
J. M. Carothers, J. F. Thomas. 

Illinois. — M. Kunkel, J. Alt, J. Strickfaden, P. S. 
Schnable, J. W. Stocker, C. W. A. Lindeman, J. Kraft, I. A. 
Uphofe, W. Ross, J. C. Wessling, T. L. Haines, F. Berg- 
man, F. Grimsell, Dr. L. Eberhart, I. J. Vogelgesang.. 
Also George Hasenpflug, of the Erie Conference. 

1892. East Pa. Conference, Lebanon, Pa., Feb. i8.. 
Bishop R. Dubs, president; J. H. Shirey, secretary. L. O. 
Wiest, J. H. Workman, C. D. Huber, W. L. Teel, D. A. 
Roth, S. H. Chubb, W. J. Edelman, J. W. Zuber, B. K.. 
Maurer. C. D. Lentz and C. H. Shirk were licensed to preach. 
Elder's orders were granted to E. H. Romig and W. S. Harris. 
Deacon's orders to G. W. Hangen, J. L. Painter, H. H. 
Smith, J. U. Weidel, J. K. Freed, H. D. Kreidler and C, 
W. Heffner. Father J. M. Saylor, superannuate, died, also 
J. M. Salada, D. Mertz and S. B. Medlar, local preachers. 
S. H. Heebner and E. Wolf, local preachers, withdrew. F. 

C. Smith took credentials. A. M. Stirk and G. W. Gross 
were elected and S. S. Chubb reelected presiding elders. 

1892* Central Pa. Conference, Williamsport, Pa., March 3. 
R. Dubs, president ; U. F. Swengel, secretary. W. Brown, 
M. A. Kennelly, J. L. Gardner, W. B. Cox, D. B. Artman, 
J. E. Heindel, G. H. Dosh, C. W. Hipple, J. G. Whitmire 
and I. Fry were licensed to preach. Elder's orders were granted 
to G. L. Mace and Deacon's orders to E. B. Bailey and D. A, 
Artman, J. W. Smith withdrew. J. Hartzler was reelected 
presiding elder. S. Yearik died Jan. 31, aged 64 years, also 

D. Peters, J. Heller and N. T. Meads, local preachers. 
1892. Pittsburg Conference, DuBois, Pa., March 17. 

Bishop C. S. Haman, president ; J. Q. A. Curry, secretary. 
License to preach was granted to F. E. Hetrick, J. H. Elder, 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 589 

S. B. RoHLAND, M. H. Jones and J. G. Wise. Elder's orders 
"vvere granted to A. L. Burkett and Deacon's orders to J. C. 
Hadlock, J. E. RoBB, J. H. Schweisberger, p. D. Steel- 
smith, H. M. Cook, J. H. Boozer and C. W. Siegfried. C. 
H. Miller, C. F. Floto, E. F. Dickey, A. Platt, A. W. 
Brickley, C. D. Slagel. G. J. Coleman and D. F. Platt took 
credentials. J. Swartz withdrew. G. Focht and L. Ross 
died. T. Bach was reelected, and G. W. Brown and J. W. 
Domer were newly elected presiding elders. 

1892. Illinois Conference, Naperville, 111., April 14. 
Bishop C. S. Haman, president ; M. Stamm and W. Caton, 
secretaries. J. H. Gamber received license to preach. J. W. 
Michael, H. L. Beightol and J. G. Fidder were advanced to 
Elder's and A. Lutz to Deacon's orders. Died — A. S. Heil- 
man, Dec. 12, 189 1, aged 66 years, E. Musselman, J. Sills 
and J. B. Trumbauer. William Berberich was received from 
the Canada Conference. H. Messner was reelected and J. 
Schneider and William Caton were newly elected presiding 
elders. Jacob Saylor and Joseph Harlacker, two of the 
oldest ministers of the church, addressed the conference with 
words of cheer and encouragement. 

1892. Des Moines Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 
March 24. W. M. Stanford, president ; S. A. Walton, secre- 
tary. Received into the conference — F. C. Smith, of the East 
Pa. ; J. W. Shaefele, of the Platte River, and C. A. Mertz, 
of the Illinois Conference ; J. McCallister, of the M. E. 
'Church, and also P. Beltzer and C. Gerhart, of the Iowa 
Conference. Elder's orders were granted to H. M. Trumbauer, 
L. E. Belzer, H. Borchard, C. Pickford and M. A. Evans. 
Deacon's orders to J. C. Doering, J. V. Hummel, C. J. 
Schalley, J. H. Mayne, C. A. Mertz, A. L. Golden, R. C. 
Pippin and W. M. Force. J. C. Porter and C. W. Trieme 
withdrew and I. Edie took credentials. 

1892. Platte River Conference, Glenville, Neb., March 3. 
W. M. Stanford, president ; T. W. Serf, secretary. C. W. 
DeGroot was licensed to preach. S. W. Patterson, M. T. 
Maize and G. S. Smith had Elder's and W. A. Coon and W. 
M. Shoop had Deacon's orders voted them. G. W. Andrews, 
local, withdrew. S. H. Dunkelberger and H. R. Price, of 
-the Kansas Conference, were received, also D. F. Honestedt 
and E. T- Tjroyer were received in full connection as elders. 



590 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

E. L. KiPLiNGER resigned the office of presiding elder and S. B. 
DiLLOW and E. J. Troyer were elected to the same. 

1892. Oregon Conference, East Portland, Oregon, April 7. 
W. M. Stanford, president; C. C. Poling, secretary. T. L. 
Weaver and J. Schneider were granted license to preach. 
D. V. Poling and O. S. Haines were advanced to Deacon's 
orders. A. Parker, a local elder, withdrew. G. D. Kunkel, 
of the M. E., and W. Uber, of the Congregational Church, 
were received, also C. D. Slagel and G. J. Coleman, of the 
Pittsburg Conference. 

1892. Ohio Conference, Findley, Ohio, Sept. 8. The 
dissenting, or minority members, organized their conference 
in the First M. E. Church, W. M. Stanford, president ; W. W. 
Sherrick, secretary. The following were admitted to mem- 
bership : George Hasenpflug, of the Pittsburg; D. W. Kerr, 
of the Illinois, F. S. Smith, of the DesMoines Conference, 
also W. F. Zander, of the Reformed and W. H. Ingel, of the 
U. B. Church. A. Evans was elected presiding elder. A. 
Loehner and Ch. Idelman, the two oldest preachers of the 
Ohio Conference, cast their lot with the minority conference. 
The following took charges for the year : A. Evans, P. E. of 
conference district ; Lancaster, W. S. Harpster ; Circleville, 
W. L. Teel; Cedar Hill, F. C. Smith ; Baltimore, D. F. Platt; 
Zion, W. E. Bailey ; Fairfield, S. E. Rife ; Cleveland, W. F. 
Zander ; Findley, W. W. Sherrick ; Akron, George Hasen- 
pflug ; Carey, A. Swartz. Unemployed, A. Loehner, C. 
Idleman, W. H. Ingel, D. W. Kerr and F. G. Stauffer. 

Notes. — Great and momentous events crowded each other in 
rapid succession this year. Prominent among them was the 
renewed attempts of leading divines of various churches to 
bring about a peaceful settlement of the difficulties of the 
church, notably, Dr. H. K. Carroll, of the JVew York Inde- 
pendent. 

Inasmuch as the General Conference declared that in view 
of the overtures of the minority and the kind offices of dis- 
interested ministers that '* Proposals of compromise are a 
sacrilegious mockery and bear the stamp of hypocrisy and de- 
ceit, and deserve no further attention," we deem it important 
for the vindication of the minority against the constant charge 
of insincerity by the majority to give the declaration signed by 
44 T minority preachers, incluciing also some editorial remarks. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 591 

as it appeared in the Independent, under the caption of **A Manly 
Proposal, as follows : 

Last week we received from Rev. W. F. Heil, of AUentown, Pa., the fol- 
lowing paper, which has been signed by 441 ministers, local and itinerant, ad- 
hering to the minority. Of these ministers 94 are in the East Pennsylvania, 126 
in the Central, 47 in the Pittsburg, 61 in the Illinois, 69 in the Des Moines, 26 
in the Oregon, and 14 in the Platte River Conference. We give the paper in 
full: 

Declaration. 

With a sincere desire that the position of the so-called minority in the pres- 
ent unhappy controversy in our church should be fully and clearly known to 
every minister and member of the Evangelical Association and to the general 
Christian public, we unite in this statement and declaration. 

While we are confident that our cause is morally right, and we sincerely be- 
lieve it to be constitutionally right, and while we do not admit that the responsi- 
bility for our present deplorable division, rests in any large degree upon us, we 
are constrained to say that it is not our desire that, for the vindication of our 
rights, precious as they are to us, the war of brother against brother, congrega- 
tion against congregation, should go on. 

When a body of brethren is thus torn asunder the Spirit of Christ is grieved, 
and His cause is injured. We are conscious of the evil results of a controversy 
like that which is rending the Ev. Association. It is possible that in the heat 
of the conflict, we may have been provoked to the manifestation of a spirit 
which should not obtain among brethren. 

The sense of our wrongs has been so keen that our judgment of what is 
right may at times have been affected. We do not, therefore, speak as though 
we were infallible, but we do speak as men who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
who covet for ourselves the constant guidance of his Spirit, as ministers and 
members who love the old church, and desire that the differences be healed ; as 
brethren who love those with whom we used to worship and kneel at the com- 
munion table. 

We say to these fellow members of the body of Christ, ' ' We be brethren — 
let there be no strife, we pray thee, between us and thee." We thus record our 
sincere desire that our differences may be amicably settled. And in view of the 
fact that we believe it to be impossible to secure an adjudicatory within the 
church, whose determination of this matter would be accepted as impartial by 
the whole church, we believe in the wisdom of submitting the entire matter to 
a commission of capable and influential ministers of sister churches, and hereby 
declare our willingness to have the case determined in this manner. 

Commenting on the above, the editor of The Independent 
says : 

This does not sound as though it proceeded from a "generation of vipers." 
It will be hard for Bishop Bov^^man, or his colleague. Bishop Esher, to con- 
vince any fair-minded man that these 441 ministers are "vipers" or "hypo- 
crites," or " corrupt and designing men." It is, of course, possible that some 
of them may be insincere, but it is not possible that all are. It is a manly, Chris- 
tian spirit which the paper breathes, and it is entitled to a manly Christian con-. 



592 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

sideration. We do not see what more they could offer or concede. Christian 
manliness should demand nothing more. 

If this proposition is spurned as bitterly as that which was made to the 
Indianapolis General Conference, the conclusion is inevitable. The majority, 
blinded by Bishops Esher and Bowman, are bent on making the disruption of 
the church permanent, and in casting out all, both ministers and laymen, who 
•cannot pronounce their shibboleth. 

If no attempt is made to settle the differences, the responsibility for com- 
pleting a grievous schism, dishonoring to the church, to the cause of Christ, 
will rest on the majority. We beg of those who can divest themselves of pas- 
sion and prejudice, and who are not more anxious for the vindication of two or 
three bishops than the whole body of brethren, to come to the front, and insist 
that the manly statement of the minority shall have a manly answer." 

It is sufficient to add that these kind proposals were vin- 
-dictively spurned and the Independent was roundly abused by 
the majority writers. 

Litigation. — On the 30th of July, 1891, Judge Hamilton 
issued his second decision in favor of the minority, the first being 
a temporary injunction. This decision was based in part on 
the valid suspension of Bishops Esher and Bowman. A new 
suit was begun, quo warranto^ Nov. 30, 189 1, in the Circuit 
Court of Cleveland, Ohio, by the minority for the possession of 
the publishing house. After a most exhaustive hearing, an ad- 
verse decision was rendered in the latter part of March, 1892, 
which left the majority incumbents in full possession. The 
case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which sustained the 
lower court. 

1893. East Pa. Conference, Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 23. 
Bishop C. S. Haman, president; J. H. Shirey, secretary. J. H. 
Krecker, H. Fosnacht, William Scheifley, W. H. Rummel, 
A. G. Musselman and C. H. Aroh were licensed to preach. 
Deacon^s orders were granted to Thomas Knecht, A. W. 
Brownmiller, J. E. Steele, H. F. Schlegel, E. H. Kistler, 
S. P. Erisman, J. A. Sellers, A. M. Swiegert, H. P. Walter 
and J. S. Heisler, and Elder^s order's to W. H. Hartzler, 
A. L. Erisman, C. L. Oswald, G. W. Marquardt, H. W. 
Behney, J. G. Boughter and D. W. Kostenbader. This was 
the largest number of advancements in the history of the con- 
ference. H. W. Hartranft and W. B. Romig, local preaches, 
withdrew. D. A. Medlar was reelected presiding elder. A 
movement to hold a Bible Conference at Perkasie Park, July 
18-20, was indorsed. James O. Lehr, died Dec. 15, 1892, 
■^g^^ 57 years. Also W. Garrett and M. M. Steckley. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 593 

1893. Central Pa. Conference, Milton, Pa., March 2. 
W. M. Stanford, president ; U. F. Swengel, secretary. W. C. 
HocH, E. FuLCOMER, W. E. Bailey, F. F. Mayer, J. A. Bull, 
J. O. Biggs, W. G. Seifert, W. H. Whitmore, G. W. Heiney, 
D. F. Young and A. Duffey were licensed to preach. Elder's 
orders were granted to S. S. Mumey, J. W. Thompson, C. F. 
Garrett, E. L. Kessler, S. E. Koontz, J. P. Buchner, W. E. 
Brillhart, L. S. Reichard, W. C. Bierley and J. F. Dunlap, 
and Deacon's orders to E. E. Shaffer, D. P. Schaefer, D. L. 
Kepner, W. J. Campbell, H. H. Trumpfheller, H. Minsker, 
H. W. Bender and G. C. Hoffman. R. W. Runyan with- 
drew. A Church Extension Society was adopted and officers 
elected. 

1893. Pittsburg Conference, Johnstown, March 16. R. 
Dubs, president; J. Q. A. Curry, secretary. D. L. Yoder, 
A. F. Berkey, W. Lewis, J. C. Powell and C. H. Stewart 
were licensed to preach. Elder's orders were granted to A. A. 
Mohney, p. F. DeVaux and P. Berkey, and Deacon's orders 
to. F. W. Ware, E. S. Deane, G. W. Ringer, G. K. Allen 
and J. N. Buzza. G. M. Alshouse took credentials. I. A. 
Rohland was reelected presiding elder. J. G. Milliron and 
I. A. Smith died, the latter April 25, 1892, aged 41 years. 

1893, Illinois Conference was held in the Presbyterian 
church, Freeport, 111., in consequence of an injunction by Judge 
Cartwright, forbidding the conference to hold its session in 
the Salem Evangelical church. In deference to the recent 
adverse decision of the Illinois Supreme court, the conference 
took the name of **The Illinois Conference of the Regular 
Evangelical Association." The conference convened April 6. 
Bishop W. M. Stanford, president ; M. Stamm and E. K. 
Yeakel, secretaries. B. R. Schultze and M. Schmitt were 
granted license to preach. M. C. Morelock, J. F. Finkbeiner 
and C. G. Unangst were advanced to Elder's orders. 

The Philadelphia General Conference was recognized and its 
legislation indorsed. The previous actions of this conference 
were ratified. A committee was appointed to confer with the 
majority representatives with a view of adjusting property 
claims, etc. In connection with the conference, an enthusiastic 
Layman's Convention was held, of which C. W. Lindeman was 
president, and S. E. Knecht, Esq., secretary. The actions 
and cour.se of the ministry was indorsed and encouraged. 



594 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

1893. DesMoines Conference met in Centre Point, Iowa, 
April 6. Bishop C. S. Haman was present to preside, and 
as the conference was about to open, several majority leaders 
appeared with an injunction by Judge Preston, prohibiting the 
holding of the conference in the name of the Des Moines Con- 
ference of the Ev. Association. As the status of the conference 
was still undecided by the Supreme Court, and inasmuch as 
the injunction by Judge Preston did not forbid it, the ministers, 
after spending some time in religious exercises, again returned 
to their respective charges. A declaration, signed by fifty- 
three members of the enjoined conference, was published, in 
which their loyalty to the cause of the minority was re-affirmed, 
and the laity were called upon to stand firm in their adherence 
to the right. 

1893* Platte River Conference, Blue Springs, Neb., March 
1 6. C. S. Haman, president; T. W. Serf, secretary. J. W. Bis- 
SEL, James Ramsey, F. Devol and G. Stinson were licensed to 
preach. M. B. Young had Elder's and F. L. Mason and N. J. 
KiRKPATRiCK Deacon's orders granted them. E. B. Miller 
and R. I. Hassinger were received from the Kansas Confer- 
ence. 

1893, Oregon Conference, Dayton, Oregon, April 5. J. 
Bowersox, president; C. C. Poling, secretary. E. D. Farns- 
WORTH, A. C. TuNisoN and B. C. Rabing were licensed to preach. 
Thomas Yost was granted Elder's orders. D. V. Poling and 
P. BoTT withdrew during the year. A. R. Johnson, J. M. 
Dick, O. S. Haines and J. M. Beauchamp took credentials. 
Seventeen ministers took work. 

1893. Ohio Conference, Salem church, Fairfield county, 
Ohio, Sept. 21. W. M. Stanford, president; W. W. Sheriiick, 
secretary. Charles M. Kauffman and M. M. Rader were 
licensed to preach. A. S. Hildebrand was advanced to Dea- 
con's orders. C. A. Steffy, of the U. B. Church, D. F. Platt, 
of the Pittsburg and W. E. Bailey, of the Central Pa. Confer- 
ence, were received. F. G. Stauffer took credentials. 

1893. Oregon Conference. Soon after the session of the 
Oregon Conference, in the Spring of 1893, the majority leaders 
succeeded in getting a temporary injunction against the minority 
preachers, preventing them from occupying their own parsonages 
and churches, and restraining them from performing any func- 
tions in the name of the Evangelical Association. This sweep- 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 595 

ing order was granted without a hearing, and that while the 
question was pending before a higher court. This act was gener- 
ally condemned as a great injustice, but the minority had no 
remedy except abject submission, or a repudiation of the Evan- 
gelical Association as represented by the Indianapolis General 
Conference. They chose the latter and assembled at Lafayette, 
Oregon, May 30, under the presidency of Bishop Dubs, and 
adopted the title ''The Oregon Conference of the Regular Ev. 
Association," endorsing the Philadelphia General Conference, 
and adopted the Discipline as it was prior to 189 1. After 
ratifying the proceedings of former sessions, and issuing a cir- 
cular letter to the minority members and friends on the Pacific 
Coast, they adjourned. The proceedings were signed by Bishop 
Dubs, president; C. C. Poling, secretary; J. Bowersox, H. L. 
Pratt, C. D. Slagel, M. J. Ballantyne, G. J. Coleman, T. 
A. Yost, T. L. Weaver and J. Schneider. 

Note. — This was a year of great trial and conflict for the down- 
trodden minority of the Evangelical Association. The Esher 
leaders in a most heartless manner deprived the minority of a 
great number of churches in which they, the majority, had no 
interest whatever, or by having adherents therein. The ma- 
jority people having brought suit for the possession of the Read- 
ing, Pa., Sixth Street church. Judge Endlich, in June, decided 
the case in favor of the minority. Later the case was appealed 
to the Supreme Court. 

Church Building — The Illinois Conference having lost 
nearly all its churches and parsonages, began the erection of 
new ones in a manner that indicated their great devotion to 
the old Evangelical principles on the one hand, and also caused 
great chagrin to the majority people on the other. Phoenix- 
like the grand conference arose from the ashes of her ruin, re- 
deemed and disenthralled, for which the Lord be praised I 

1893. Bible Conference. The first Bible Conference of 
our church was held at Perkasie Park, Pa., July 17-20, under 
the auspices or the East Pa. Conference. The project origi- 
nated the year previous at the Normal Assembly, at Perkasie, 
under the presidency of Rev. D. A. Medlar, who presented 
the matter at that meeting with favorable results. The Bible 
Conference was a great success. Rev. D. A. Medlar was 
president and H. B. Hartzler, D. D., chancellor. Many 
distinguished men participated in the program*. 



596 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Memorials. — During this year the church sustained the 
loss by death of a number of prominent ministers, as follows : 

J. G. Miller, born 1813, in Germany, entered the ministry 
in 1843, and rendered valuable service both in the East and 
West. Died in Madison, Wis., April 3, 1893. 

Joseph Harlacker, born in Pennsylvania, died at Naper- 
ville. 111., April 15, 1893, aged 80 years. He entered the ac- 
tive work of the ministry in 1832. He was pronounced in his 
loyalty to the minority. 

I. A. RoHLAND, D. D., a presiding elder of the Pittsburg 
Conference, died suddenly April 23, 1893, aged 46 years. In 
his death the conference lost one of its strongest pillars, and 
the minority one of its staunchest defenders. 

Lewis Einsel, died at Holdredge, Neb., July 6, 1893. Born 
in Ohio in 1813. Entered the ministry 1836. He was a strong 
defender of the principles of the minority. 

Abraham Krause, died in Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 21, 
aged 70 years. Entered the active ranks in 1848, and rendered 
many years of valuable service. 

S. B. Kring, son of Rev. Conrad Kring, died in Decatur, 
Ind., July 28, aged 65 years. Entered the active work in the 
East in 1850, and was presiding elder a number of terms in 
the Pittsburg Conference. 

1894. East Pa. Conference, Reading, Pa., Feb. 22. W. 
M. Stanford, president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary. J. B. Ehr- 
HART, E. E. Stauffer, E. H. Hartenstine and H. C. Lutz 
were licensed to preach. N. S. Hawk, of the M. E. Church, 
was received. Elder's orders were granted to G. W. Hangen, 
H. H. Smith and H. D. Kreidler, and Deacon's orders to 
W. L. Teel, C. H. Shirk, E. L. Watts, T. L. Frymier and 
L. O. WiEST. Daniel L. Wither and R. Litzenberger died. 
G. W. Imboden, J. C. Krause and H. Dutill took credentials. 
W. F. Heil was reelected presiding elder. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Krecker, president of the Women's Missionary Society, ad- 
dressed the conference in the interests of the society. Bishops 
Dubs and C. S. Haman were also present and presided at 
times. 

1894. Central Pa. Conference, East Prospect, Pa., March 
I. C. S. Haman, president; A. Stapleton, secretary. I. Day- 
ton, F. H. Foss and A. W. Chamberlain were licensed to 
preach. E. B. Dunn, of the M. E. Church, was admitted. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 597 

Elder's orders were granted to D. A. Artman and E. B. Bailey, 
and Deacon's orders to J. H. Furner, J. G. Whitmire, W. B. 
Cox, M. A. Kennelley, W. N. Morris and J. H. Davis. I. C. 
Yeakel withdrew. A. Krause (Sup.), Z. Hornberger and 
R. C. Hollenbaugh died. Action was taken for the holding 
of a Bible Conference. Bishop R. Dubs addressed the con- 
ference. The committee on statistics reported 3,160 conver- 
sions during the year, and 2,747 accessions. This was the 
largest number in the history of the conference, and caused 
great rejoicing. 

1894. Platte River Conference, Dawson, Neb., March 
8. W. M. Stanford, president ; T. W. Serf, secretary. H. 
L. Price, W. B. Maize and W. R. Gill were licensed to 
preach. S. W. Patterson took credentials. J. F. Rose, of 
the M. E. Church, was received. 

1894. Pittsburg Conference, Hyndman, Pa., March 15. 
W. M. Stanford, president; J. Q. A. Curry, secretary. R. 
Dubs was also present a short time. H. B. Seese, J. R. Clark, 
H. E. McElheny, M. E. Borger, H. V. Summers, William 
FiNDLAY and A. C. Mock were licensed to preach. J. H. 
Schweisberger, p. D. Steelsmith, H. M. Cook, C. W. Seig- 
fried and J. H. Boozer were ordained Elders and J. G. Wise, 
Deacon, B. F. Feitt was elected presiding elder. 

1894. Illinois Conference, Barrington, 111., April 4. 
R. Dubs, president ; M. Stamm and E. K. Yeakel, secretaries. 
The name of the conference was changed from '^The Illinois 
Conference of the Regular Ev. Association," to ^*The Illinois 
Conference of the United Evangelical Church." L. Schmidt 
and J. Eller were licensed to preach. A. Lutz was ordained 
Elder and B. F. Ludy, B. R. Schultze, C. F. Rife and H. C. 
Stephan Deacons. S. Torry died. George Harris and W. 
Schuster took credentials. George Harms was received. A. 
Haefele was elected presiding elder. Fifty-three ministers 
took work. J. H. Gamber was ordained Deacon by Bishop 
Dubs at a campmeeting in June of this year, near Barring- 
ton, 111. 

Note. — At this conference provision was made for a pos- 
sible General Conference during the year by the election of 
General Conference delegates. The lay delegates were elected 
at the district lay conventions. 

1894. Oregon Conference, Lafayette, Ore., April 5. C. 



598 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

S. Haman, president ; C. C. Poling, secretary. Prof. C. A. 
Bowman and E. E. McVicker were licensed to preach. Cre- 
dentials were granted to Theodore Suhr, who went to the Illi- 
nois, and C. D. Slagel, who returned to the Pittsburg Confer- 
ence, and P. Desgranges. C. C. Poling was elected Finan- 
cial Agent for Lafayette Seminary. T. L. Weaver was ordained 
Deacon. 

Convention of the Ohio Conference. — Pursuant to a 
general call the ministers of the Ohio Conference, as also a 
large number of laymen met in convention in the Salem Evan- 
gelical church, Baltimore, Ohio, April 19, 1894. A. Evans 
was president and H. F. Hampshire, secretary. Bishop R. 
Dubs was also present. Resolutions reaffirming their adher- 
ence to minority principles were adopted, and also that the 
conference change its name from **The Ohio Conference of th» 
Evangelical Association," to **The Ohio Conference of the 
United Evangelical Church." 

1894. Ohio Conference, special session. Owing t6 the 
adverse decision of the Supreme Court in the ^uo warranto 
case in Ohio, the ministers and lay delegates of the Ohio Con- 
ference met in convention in Baltimore O., April 19. A. 
Evans was president and H. F. Hampshire, secretary. Reso- 
lutions were adopted requesting the conference to change its 
name to **The Ohio Conference of the United Evangelical 
Church." The next day, April 20, R. Dubs convened the 
conference. W. W. Sherrick was appointed secretary. The 
conference conformed itself to its changed situation by adopt- 
ing the recommendation of the convention in regard to name, 
and affirming its adherence to the Philadelphia General Con- 
ference. 

1894. Des Moines Conference, C6lo, Iowa, May 17. 
C. Sw Haman, president; S. A. Walton, secretary. Bishop 
Dubs was also present and addressed the conference. The 
conference adopted the name **The Des Moines Conference 
of the United Evangelical Church." License was granted M. 
J. Randall, R. Gampe, F. Knuth, J. Bamford, B. Fisher, G. 
N. Thompson and E. J. Wicks. Elder^s orders were granted 
to L. A. Jones, C. A. Mertz, W. M. Force, A. L. Golden, 
J. W. Hamilton, J. H. Mayne, C. J. Doering, R. C. Pippin 
and L. Skogsberg, and Deacon's orders to E. E. Hahn, S. H. 
Streyffeler, W. F. Brecher, M. W. Shrader., S. Sass, Max 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 599 

Schmidt, D. C. Busenberg and M. A. Sheldon. This was 
the greatest number of advancements at any session in the 
history of the conference. J. Sass, of the Michigan ; M. 
Schmidt, of the Illinois ; S. N. Ramige, of the Iowa Confer- 
ence; T. C. Busenberg, of the M. E.; A. H. Vogel, of the 
Congregational, and J. W. Martin, of the Reformed Church, 
were received into conference. Credentials were granted G. 
L. KoLB, L. Stauffacher and J. Henn. Forty-nine ministers 
took appointments. 

1894. Ohio Conference, Johnsville, Ohio, Sept. 21. R. 
Dubs, president; W. W. Sherrick, secretary. W. E. Bailey 
and C. M. Kaufman had Deacon's orders granted them. D. F. 
Platt took credentials. A. Evans resigned the office of pre- 
siding elder, and A. Swartz was elected to the same. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Preparations for the Organization of the United Evan- 
gelical Church — Adverse Decision of Civil Courts. 

This year was fraught with momentous events in the history 
of the church, chief among which was the adverse decision of 
several Supreme Courts, and the consequent organization of 
the United Evangelical Church by the union of the minority 
conferences of the Evangelical Association. In March, the 
Ohio Supreme Court decided adversely in the case of the Cleve- 
land suit. This was followed in May by the Iowa courts in 
the Des Moines case. In both cases the Ohio and Des Moines 
Conferences met immediately, and reorganized under the new 
name. On the first of October the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- 
vania rendered its decision adversely in the Reading case, the 
direct result of which was the eviction of the minority people 
of Pennsylvania, numbering over 40,000, from upwards of 450 
churches, in favor of probably 4,000 Esherites. The verdict 
met with general disfavor, not only from the press, but also in 
legal circles. To say the least of the decision, and without any 
reflection' whatever on the integrity of the honorable court, the 
minority holds that the conclusions of the court were illegal, 
because, 

1. The court held that the East Pennsylvania Conference, 
presided over by C. S. Hanan, in the Ebenezer church, Allen- 
town, Pa., in 189 1, was the legal conference. 

2. That *' Bishop " Bowman and a few friends in organizing 
a rival conference were wholly unauthorized by the Discipline, 
and the body so organized not having a quorum to sit as mem- 
bers of the East Pa. Conference, was an irregular body without 
ecclesiastical character under the Discipline. 

600 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH, 601 

3. The Bowman Conference was branded as *' usurpers'' 
because "his (Bowman's) conduct, and that of his friends 
in suspending and expelling presiding elders and others was a 
clear usurpation of power, and the sentences so pronounced had 
no force or effect." 

4. That the Indianapolis General Conference (Esherite) 
** exceeded its powers under the Discipline," and was guilty of 
'* unauthorized assumption of power" in legalizing the afore- 
said unlawful acts of the majority bishops and their adherents. 

And yet this same court declared the Indianapolis Confer- 
ence legal, which was 

1. Presided over by bishops, who, according to the court,, 
were guilty of gross violations of the Discipline. 

2. There were present at this conference twenty-four dele- 
gates from conferences, which, according to the court, were 
** without authority or ecclesiastical character under the Dis- 
cipline." It is certainly difficult for the ordinary mind ta 
harmonize the righteousness of the verdict with such char- 
acterizations of the majority side. The Christian heroism and 
fortitude of the minority under this great calamity was truly 
marvelous, and excited wonder and admiration throughout the 
entire country. In some instances congregations purchased 
back their property, but hundreds of churches were surrendered 
to the majority in many instances where they had not a single 
adherent. The United Evangelical people were willing to show 
to the world their devotion to principles, by sacrificing in many- 
instances churches worth tens of thousands of dollars, and 
some, as in the case of the Ebenezer church, Allentown, Pa., 
which had just been built, at a cost of over ^30,000. 

The loss of members to the minority through the adverse 
decision was comparatively small. The people had long be- 
fore this settled the question in their own minds. Every effort 
was made by the majority to induce the members to stay in 
their churches and accept Esherite pastors, but all to no pur- 
pose. The Indianapolis General Conference having practically 
excluded all who held with the other side, the people would not 
be influenced by the seductive pastorals issued and circulated 
with a view of holding them to their churches. The minority 
people could better afford to vacate their churches, parsonages 
and schools than the other side could afford to take them. 



602 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Special Conference Sessions to Elect Delegates to a 
Special General Conference. 

The East Pa. Conference met in special session, in the 
Metropolitan Hall, Reading, Pa., Oct. lo. The body first 
met as a convention, and then constituted itself into a perma- 
nent organization, with Bishop W. M. Stanford, president; 
Dr. C. B. Wagner, vice president; J. H. Shirey, secretary, 
and R. K. Schnader, treasurer. There were present 102 
clerical and 79 lay members. Resolutions were adopted resolv- 
ing the body into **The East Pennsylvania Conference of the 
United Evangelical Church." The principles of the minority, 
as represented by the Philadelphia General Conference, were 
maintained. All the legislation of the conference under the old 
name was confirmed. The conference societies were re-estab- 
lished, and a General Conference was called, as follows: 

Resolved, That this conference calls a General Conference 
to meet at Naperville, 111., the last Thursday in November, 
1894, ^^ 7 P- ^- The secretary was instructed to inform the 
other conferences of this call. 

The Central Pa. Conference met in special session in 
the Bennett Street Evangelical church, Williamsport, Pa., Oct. 
16. The body met as a convention. First a temporary, then 
a permanent organization was effected, as follows : Bishop C. 
S. Haman, president ; I. Bower, vice president ; A. Stapleton, 
secretary ; J. W. Ruby, treasurer. The body adopted the name, 
and resolved itself into "The Central Pennsylvania Conference 
of the United Evangelical Church. The former acts of the 
conference were confirmed. The Philadelphia General Confer- 
ence was endorsed, so far as its acts did not conflict with the 
actions of this session. The call for a General Conference was 
■endorsed. All the conference societies were reestablished. 

The Pittsburg Conference met in special session in 
Calvary Evangelical church, Johnstown, Pa., Oct. 24. A per- 
manent organization, with the following officers was effected : 
President, Bishop W. M. Stanford; secretary, J. Q. A. Curry. 
The conference adopted the name, *'The Pittsburg Conference 
of the United Evangelical Church." The conference societies 
were reorganized, and the call for a General Conference was 
(endorsed. 

The Ohio Conference met in special session in Lancaster, 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 603 

Ohio, Nov. 5. Bishop R. Dubs, president, and W. W. Sher- 
"TCK, secretary. A. Swartz was elected delegate to the ' 'coming" 
General Conference, and A. Evans, alternate. W. A. Fur- 
GESON, a layman, was also elected, and I. W. Keller, alternate. 
The .Oregon Conference met in special session at La- 
fayette, Ore., Nov. 7. J. Bowersox, president; C. C. Poling, 
secretary. B. Hartman was licensed to preach. Delegates 
were elected for the coming General Conference. The confer- 
ence again pledged its adherence to the cause of the minority 
and the acts of the Philadelphia General Conference. Minis- 
ters present, J. Bowersox, C. C. Poling, M. J. Ballantyne, 
F. J. Strayer, H. L. Pratt, T. L. Weaver, C. N. Plowman, 
E. D. Farnsworth and C. A. Bowman, besides a number of 
lay delegates. 

Lay Representation. — The special conferences, both in 
Pennsylvania and the West were the first legislative assemblies 
in which the laity participated since the organization of the 
first conference, under the presidency of the founder of the 
church, Jacob Albright, in 1807. It is a remarkable coinci- 
dence that in both instances a denominational name was 
adopted. The lay delegates to the special conferences were 
elected at lay district conventions, called for that purpose. 



CHAPTER V. 



The First General Conference, at Naperville, III., Feb: 

29, 1894. 

In harmony with the call of the East Pennsylvania Confer- 
ence, and the concurrent action of all the other annual confer- 
ences, the delegates of the hitherto minority conferences assem- 
bled at Naperville, 111., Nov. 29, 1894. The basis of delegation 
was the same as in former years, viz., one ministerial delegate 
for every fourteen, and surplus of seven or over, of the regular 
ministers. In addition to these, there was an equal number of 
lay delegates, who were elected by the laymen, at the special 
conference sessions. For prudential reasons there were no dele- 
gates present from the Platte River, and Oregon Conferences. 

Opening. — The conference was opened by Bishop R. Dubs. 
William Caton was elected temporary secretary. The dele- 
gates were then enrolled. The following day, William Caton 
was elected permanent secretary, and A. Stapleton, S. A. Wal- 
ton, M. Stamm, W. Jones and A. Haefele, assistants. Bishops 
Dubs, Haman and Stanford presided in their order during the 
conference, which closed Thursday evening, December 13th. 

Honorary Members. — The following named fathers of the 
church, all of whom were former members of General Confer- 
ences, were made honorary members, and invited to seats within 
the bar of conference : Jacob Saylor, Daniel Kreamer, C. 

LiNDEMAN, C. A. FUESSELE, A. BUSSARD, J. KeIPER, ISRAEL 

KuTER, A. Stahley and L. Eberhart. 

Greetings were received from Abraham Niebel, who- was a. 
member of the first delegate General Conference (1843,), Henry 
RoHLAND, J. Kaechele and J. Bowersox. 

Fraternal Delegates. — William Bell, D. D., missionary 
secretary and G. Funkhouser, D. D., professor of theology in 
Dayton, Ohio, addressed the conference, as fraternal delegates 
of the United Brethren in Christ. Bishop R. Dubs was chosen 

604 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. t05 

to represent this body at the next General Conference of the 
United Brethren Church ; Bishop W. M. Stanford, alternate. 

Church Name. — The name '*The United Evangelical* 
-Church," was adopted to designate the minority of the Evan- 
gelical Association, of which this conference is the representa- 
tive body. 

Committees. — The work of revising the Discipline, Articles 
of Faith, etc., was entrusted to a large number of committees, 
in which every conference was represented. The Committees on 
Temperance, Sabbath, Sunday-schools, Missions, Christian En- 
deavor, etc., all submitted well digested reports, which were 
adopted. Committees also reported and suitable resolutions 
were adopted on the educational interests of the church. A let- 
ter from Prof. A. E. Gobble, D. D., president of Central Pa. 
College, was read, and Prof. H. H. Rassweiler, late president 
of Northwestern College, delivered an address on this subject. 

Missionary Interests. — The Parent Missionary Society 
was reconstructed in accordance with its new status. A new 
constitution was adopted, and closer relations were effected be- 
tween the Parent Society, and the Woman's Missionary Society, 
Mrs. T. L. Haines, of Chicago, and Mrs. C. F. Rassweiler, of 
Naperville, delivered addresses on behalf of the latter society. 
In regard to Foreign Missions it was resolved that such a work 
may be established as soon as the fund for that purpose shall 
amount to ;?2o,ooo. The Board of Missions was authorized to 
appropriate sufficient means for the support of two Bible Women 
in the foreign field during the next quadrennium. 

Memorial Services were held in memory of Francis Hoff- 
man, L. Einsel, Joseph Harlacher, E. Kohr, and I. A. Roh- 
land, who entered upon their eternal reward during the last 
<iuadrennium. 

Licensed to Preach. — Edwin S. Woodring, of Allentown, 
Pa., a student of Moody's Institute, in Chicago, was granted 
license to preach. 

Publishing Interests. — Provisions were made for the crea- 
tion of a Board of Publication, empowered to acquire, condi- 
tionally, the publishing concerns of the Evangelical Publishing 
Company, of Harrisburg, Pa., and the Volksblatt Printing Com- 
pany, of Chicago, 111. The Evangelical and the Evangdische 
Zeitschrift, published by the aforenamed companies, were rec- 
ognized as the official organs of the church. 



606 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Provisions were made for the publication, in the English and 
the German languages, of a hymn book. Discipline, catechism 
and almanac. The following constitutued the Hymn book com- 
mittees: English. — Rev. H. B. Hartzler, W. M. Stanford^ 
Rev. J. B. EsENWEiN, Rev. J. D. Woodring, Rev. U. F.'Swen- 
GEL and Prof. O. L. Jacobs. German. — Bishop R. Dubs. Rev. 
J. Schneider, Rev. C. A. Fuesele, Rev. S. Busse, Rev. W. F. 
ScHMALLE, Rev. G. Barth, Rev. T. Suhr and Rev. C. New- 
ton Dubs. 

An article on the history of the United Evangelical Church,, 
prepared by Rev. D. Byers for the * 'American Series of Church 
History, " was approved. Provision was also made for the pub-^ 
lication of other necessary works. 

Important Changes. — While it is impracticable to note all the 
changes effected in the polity of the church, the following brief 
outline may suffice. The old Discipline (prior to 189 1) with the 
changes made at the Philadelphia General Conference, was used 
as a basis for a new one. Thcee vital restrictive rules were 
adopted: (i) The Articles of Faith, shall never be changed, 
(2) The itinerancy shall never be abolished. (3) The annual 
conferences shall never be deprived of the right to determine 
the legality of their own organization. The laymen were 
granted equal representation in the conferences with the minis- 
try. The tenure of office of bishops and presiding elders was 
limited to two consecutive terms, of four years each. Editors 
and publishers and the corresponding secretary of the mission^ 
ary society, were made ineligible as delegates to General Con- 
ference. The pastoral term was extended to four years. The 
Woman's Missionary Society was granted the privilege of send- 
ing a delegate to the Board of Missions, an^i local societies shall 
be entitled to a representative in quarterly conference. Local 
Keystone Leagues of Christian Endeavor were also given the 
latter privilege. The pastor, officers and teachers of a Sunday- 
school shall constitute a Sunday-school Board for the manage- 
ment of the school. 

A form of deed was adopted which makes the loss of church 
property impossible in case of denominational division. 

Charitable Society. — Authority was given to C. S. Haman, 
S. S. Chubb, A. M. Sampsel, B. J. Smoyer, John R. Miller, 
John Hendel, W. P. Huber, Dr. C. B. Wagoner and John 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 607 

Seibert, all of the East Pa. Conference, to organize a charitable 
society on behalf of the church. 

Election of Officers. — Bishops, R. Dubs and W. M. Stan- 
ford ; corresponding secretary of missionary society, B. J. 
Smoyer ; statistical secretary, B. H. Niebel ; board of publi- 
cation, First District, S. S. Chubb and W. P. Huber ; Second 
District, W, E. Detwiler and I. Bower; Third District, T. 
Bach and H. P. Crouse ; Fourth District, J. Schneider and T. 
L. Haines ; Fifth District, B. H. Niebel and N. R. Clift ; of- 
ficers of the parent missionary society, president; S. L. Wiest ; 
recording secretary, U. F. Swengel; corresponding secretary, B. 
J. Smoyer ; treasurer, J. G. Mohn ; managing board of K. L. 

C. E., W. H. Fouke, U. F. Swengel, J. B. Esenwein, J. Q. 

A. Curry, Prof. H. H. Rassweiler. Lay, F. J. Boyer, C. 
Porter, W. C. Weiss and M. J. Randall. William Caton 
was elected editor of the General Conference Journal. 

Boundaries. — All the appointments belonging to the Pitts- 
burg Conference, situated in Ohio, were detached from that 
conference and added to the Ohio Conference. The Des Moines 
Conference was empowered to divide its work during the quad- 
rennium and constitute an additional conference. 

Statistics. — The Committee on Statistics reported the total 
membership of the church as 61,120, with 415 itinerant and 226 
local preachers. 

Discipline. — The bishops and Revs. W. F. Heil, U. F. 
Swengel and J. B. Esenwein were constituted a committee to 
arrange the Discipline for publication. 

General Conference Delegates. — Bishops, R. Dubs, D. 
D., LL.D., C. S. Haman and W. M. Stanford, A. M. 

East Fa. — B. J. Smoyer, W. F. Heil, S. S. Chubb, A. M. 
Stirk, G. W. Gross, D. A. Medlar, J. D. Woodring and A. 
M. Sampsel. Central — W. E. Detwiler, H. W. Buck, J. M. 
Ettinger, U. F. Swengel, M. J. Carothers, J. Hartzler, A. 
H. Irvine and A. Stapleton. Pittsburg — G. W. Brown, T. 
Bach, B. F. Feitt, J. W. Domer and J. Q. A. Curry. Illinois — 
John Schneider, H. Messner, S. F. Entorf, William Caton, 

D. B. Byers, a. Haefele, W. H. Fouke* and F. Busse*. 
Des Moines — B. H. Niebel, W. Jonas, J. E. Stauffhcher, E. 

B. Utt and S. A. Walton. Ohio — A. Swartz. 

Laymen. — East Pa. — W. Litzenberger, J. H. Reininger, 
Dr. C. B. Wagoner, J. G. Mohn, B. K. Kehler, W. P. Huber 



«08 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

and H. Lobien. Central— -Isaiah Bower, I. S. Frain, Prof. J. 
A. RoBB, D. Shoemaker, James M. Carothers, N. T. Dun- 
DORE, J. W. Ruby and Elmer Ditmar. Pittsburg — M. B. 
Templin, D. L. Weaver, S. C. Ream and C. W. Close. Illi- 
nois — J. F. Schlosstein, J. Epley, J. Strickfaden, Charles 
Markhoff, Isaac Hansam, J. Yeakel, F. Long* and D. 
Zahn.* Des Moines — E. Pribbenow, N. R. Clift and E. E. 
Hoover. Ohio — W. A. Furgeson. 

Notes. — Although the United Evangelical Church was organ- 
ized with but eight conferences (including the Platte River and 
Oregon), this did not by any means represent the total number 
of the Minority people, who were scattered in considerable num- 
bers throughout the Evangelical Association, and in many in- 
stances constituted the majority of members in congregations. 
In the former South Indiana Conference, the Minority preserved 
organizations at Terre Haute, Jonesboro, Annville, Brazil and 
Clarksville. In the Michigan Conference a number of organ- 
izations were maintained and connected with the Illinois Con- 
ference of the United Evangelical Church. In the autumn of 
1892, Bishop Dubs visited Reed City and Pinora and preached 
in the Evangelical churches. This so enraged the Majority 
minister that he expelled a family for entertaining the bishop, 
including also a daughter who was several hundred miles away, 
and who knew nothing of the occurrence. In February, Bishop 
Dubs also visited lona, Mich, and preached to large congrega- 
tions. The Majority preacher promptly expelled without trial 
all who openly adhered to the bishop. The Illinois Conference, 
in 1894, appointed A. Lutz to Reed City, and J. G. Finkbeiner 
to Owasso and Flint. 

In the early stages of the disruption, the Bay City, Mich., 
congregation declared itself independent of the church, and Rev. 
Henry Schneider, a former presiding elder of the conference, 
and who was expelled for his Minority sentiments, became their 
pastor. Litigation followed for the possession of the church, 
which was finally decided adversely to the congregation, after 
which it also, with its pastor, cast its lot with the United Evan- 
gelical Church, and erected a new edifice. 

In the Iowa Conference, probably one-half of the ministers 
and members were Minority in sentiment. At the opening of 
the conference at Ackley, in 1891, the latter were in the ma- 
jority, but Bishop T. Bowman, whose presidency was contested. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 609 

unlawfully suspended a number of ministers, and thus succeeded 
in controlling the conference. A large number of Minority 
members thereupon withdrew, and were later constituted the 
Sioux City District of the Des Moines Conference. 

In Minnesota a considerable number adhered to the United 
Evangelical Church. In March, 1894, W. Jonas, presiding 
elder of Sioux City District, of the Des Moines Conference, 
visited East Prairie and was warmly received by the Minority 
members. Rev. W. Brecher, of the Des Moines Conference, 
also gained entrance this year at various places. In September, 
W. Jonas visited Slayton and vicinity. After great opposition, 
a class was formed on Sept. 29th, with Henry Brown as leader 
and Albert Busse assistant. This was the first organization in 
the State. Bishop Dubs and W. Jonas also visited Nerstrand. 
In Kansas, Hiawatha and Clay Circuits were Minority and were 
connected with the Platte River Conference. 

In Buffalo, N. Y., Rev. J. Kaechele gathered the Minority 
members into a society in 1890, and with them united with the 
East Pa. Conference in 1891. 

In San Francisco, Cal., the Minority members were gath- 
ered into a society by Rev. Theodore Suhr, of the California 
Conference. 

Memorials. — Solomon J. Caton, retired, Somerset county. 
Pa., died Feb. 6th, aged 42 years; William Wonder, local, 
from Ohio, died Feb. i8th, at Blue Springs, Neb., aged 66 
years; R. Litzenberger, retired, AUentown, Pa., died Feb. 
17th, aged 78 years; William Miller, local, Lehigh county. 
Pa., died March 30th, aged 67 years; Charles Warmkessel, 
itinerant, Leib, Pa., died June 21st, aged 40 years; E. Kohr, 
retired, Lewisburg, Pa., died Aug. 19th, aged 70 years (See 
Biog.); C. W. DeGroot, itinerant, Glennville, Neb., died Sept. 
2d, aged ^S years ; M. K. Trumbore, local, East Pa., died Nov. 
14th, aged 45 years * 



CHAPTER VI. 



1895. East Pa. Conference, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Feb. 
28. R. Dubs, president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary. License to 
preach was granted to John E. Kerr, Robert F. Andrews, 
Ammon E. Hagner and Solomon Dissinger. Deacon's orders 
were granted to W. J. Edleman and H. E. Fasnacht ; Elder's 
orders to H. P. Walter, J. A. Sellers, H. F. Schlegel and 
S. P. Erisman. D. a. Roth, local, withdrew, and H. A. 
Smith and J. W. Woehrle were granted credentials. 

The newly established institution of learning at Myerstown, 
Pa., was named ** Alb right Collegiate Institute." The confer- 
ence was re-districted and officered as follows : Reading Dis- 
trict, C. S. Haman, presiding elder ; Harrisburg District, B. J. 
Smoyer ; Allentown District, A. M. Stirk. 

1895* Central Pa. Conference, York, Pa., March 7. W. 
M. Stanford, president ; A. Stapleton, secretary. H. Smith, 
W. N. Fulcomer, N. ]. Dubs, A. D. Gramly and R. E. Wil- 
son were licensed to preach. D. F. Young, E. Fulcomer, W. 
C. Hoch, F. F. Mayer and I. N. Bair had Deacon's, and D. L. 
Kepner, E. E. Shaffer, H. Minsker, D. P. Shaffer and W. 
J. Campbell had Elder's orders voted them. W. E. Detwiler 
H. W. Buck and A, H. Irvine were reelected and A. Staple- 
ton and N. Young were newly elected presiding elders and 
stationed as follows : York District, A. H. Irvine ; Carlisle 
District, N. Young ; Centre District, A. Stapleton ; Lewis- 
burg District, H. W. Buck; Williamsport District, W. E. Det- 
wiler. 

1895. Pittsburg Conference, Franklin, Pa., March 14. R. 
Dubs and W. M. Stanford, president ; J. Q. A. Curry, secre- 
tary. The following withdrew : A. A. Mohney, J. H. Shimp, 
F. P. Hummel, J. H. Stauffer and S. O. Musselman. Li- 
cense to preach was granted to J. T. Horner, J. A. Schaffer 
and J. W. Ward. Deacon's orders were granted Wilson Lewis, 

610 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 611 

A. F. Berkey, D. L. Yoder, J. H. Elder, G. W. Imboden, S. 

B. RoHLAND, H. M. Fink, D. Stoll and R. Reed. Elder's 
orders to F. W. Ware. C. D. Slagel, of the Oregon Confer- 
ence, was admitted. 

Presiding elder districts : Pittsburg, G. Brown (this be- 
came Canton District of the Ohio Conference); Allegheny, T. 
Bach ; Franklin, B. F. Feitt ; Somerset, J. W. Domer. 

1895. Ohio Conference, Lancaster, Ohio, Sept. 19. W. 
M. Stanford, president; J. H. Schweisberger, secretary. 
G. A. Smith was granted Elder's orders. Lorrain was con- 
stituted a mission. That part of the Pittsburg, which was con- 
ceded to this conference, was embraced in Canton District. A. 
Swartz, presiding elder of Lancaster, and G. W. Brown, of 
Canton District. 

1895* Illinois Conference, Groveland, 111, April 11. R. 
Dubs, president; S. F. Entorf, secretary. E. Knapp, Elmer 
Rife, E. F. Fuessele and Jacob Haehlaen were licensed to 
preach. M. Smith, of the Des Moines Conference, was re- 
ceived. 

Presiding elder districts : Chicago, J. Schneider, Naper- 
ville, H. Messner; Freeport, W. Caton ; Southern, A. Haefele. 

1895. Des Moines Conference, Nora Springs, Iowa, 
April 4. R. Dubs, president ; S. A. Walton, secretary. W. 
W. Shuler and Max Smith were granted credentials. Deacon's 
©rders were granted to S. M. Ramage, and Elder's orders to 
W. F. Brecher and G. L. Springer. E. D. VanHorn and 
J. Buzzard were received in the local relation. Ackley District 
was constituted. 

Presiding elder districts : Cedar Rapids, J. E. Stauffacher ; 
Des Moines, B. H. Niebel ; LeMars, W. Jonas ; Ackley, F. 
Belzer. 

1895. Platte River Conference, Kearney, Neb., March 7. 
R. Dubs, president ; T. W. Serf, secretary. E. W. Brooker, 
L. LoHR, Henry Wood, A. P. Layton, Ira Mc^ride, J. H. 
Day, a. J. Afflerbach and A. L. Morgan were licensed to 
preach. J. Wolford was admitted as an elder. N. J. Kirk- 
patrick was admitted into the itinerancy. E. J. Troyer, pre- 
siding elder of Blue Spring, and S. B. Dillow, of Kearney 
District. 

1895. Oregon Conference, April 4. W. M. Stanford, 
president ; C. C. Poling, secretary. J. J. Schneider withdrew. 



612 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

W. L. Arnold, C. D. Kimberlin, Walter Hamilton and 
James A. Renshaw were licensed to preach. E. D. Farns- 
woRTH and B. J. Kelly were granted Deacon's orders. F. D. 
HoLMAN was admitted as a local elder. M. J. Ballantyne 
was elected presiding elder of the conference district. 

Special Session. — The Oregon Conference assembled in La- 
fayette, Ore., May 2d, to hold a special session mainly for the 
purpose of adjusting the relations of Lafayette Seminary to the 
new conditions of the conference. Bishop Stanford presided 
and C. C. Poling was secretary. 

Note. — This year was especially remarkable for church 
building. Edifices sprang up everywhere as if by magic. From 
four to six dedications on a Sunday was no unusual occurrence, 
and church projects and dedications formed the chief topic in 
church periodicals. A great many congregations succeeded in 
purchasing back their churches from the Evangelical Associa- 
tion. At Williamsport, Pa., its agents ratified the sale of sixty- 
two churches within the bounds of the Central Pa. Conference, 
and this in a single day in March, 1895, while many were dis- 
posed of afterwards. In all, there were purchased about two 
hundred, and newly built about one hundred and fifty churches 
during this year. 

A petition emanating from the East Pa. Conference ad- 
dressed to the General Conference of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, proposing that the questions which had not already been 
settled, be made the subject of arbitration by representative 
men of other churches, and to be chosen in such a manner as 
might be mutually agreed upon, was passed by in silence by that 
body at its session of 1895. 

The new Discipline made its appearajice in February, and 
was well received, annual conferences adopting it by a rising 
vote. 

In February B. J. Smoyer, the corresponding secretary of 
the missionary society, resigned his office at the request of the 
Executive Committee of the Board of Missions. This was en- 
tirely in the interests of economy, and for the purpose of in- 
augurating a new system of raising funds by direct appeal 
through the ministry and church periodicals. 

The death of Rev. J. M. Ettinger, the gifted editor of The 
Evangelical, on Feb. 3, cast a gloom of sorrow over the entire 
church. The vacant post was well filled, however, by the imme- 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 613 

diate appointment of B. J. Smoyer, who served until July, 
when he was succeeded by H. B. Hartzler, who, since 1890, 
had been associated with D. L. Moody, as a teacher in his Bible 
Training School, at Northfield, Mass. 

On May 14, 15, the Board of Publication met in Harrisburg, 
Pa., and unified the publishing interests of the church in ac- 
cordance with the provisions of the General Conference. The 
German catechism, by Rev. J. Kaechele, was adopted and or- 
dered to be published as soon as possible. 

On May 22, the Supreme Court of Nebraska filed a favorable 
decree in the case of the Platte River Conference, thus showing 
that at least one court of last resort regarded the position of the 
minority as correct from a legal standpoint. The conference 
thus being established in its ecclesiastical rights, proceeded to 
adjust its relations with the opposition conference and to form- 
ally connect itself with the United Evangelical Church. 

The Charitable Society provided for by the General Confer- 
ence was granted a charter during the year by the courts at 
Reading, Pa. 

The work of the church was considerably extended this year 
in Minnesota. In the month of September W. Jonas, the pio- 
neer presiding elder of Des Moines Conference, whose district 
extended into the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and 
South Dakota, for the first time visited Oak Lake and in Octo- 
ber Blue Earth City, and was warmly received. 

Memorials. — The church suffered the loss of the following 
ministers during the year: J. M. Ettinger, itinerant, York, Pa., 
died Feb. 3, aged 48 years (See Biog.); Benjamin Wagner, 
retired, Dwight, 111., died Jan. 11, aged 70 years ; Henry Roh- 
LAND, retired, Freeport, 111. (See Biog.); Cyrus Manwell, 
retired, Laporte, Iowa, died, aged 65 years. 

18Q6. East Pa. Conference, Shamokin, Pa., Feb. 27. W. 
M. Stanford, president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary. The follow- 
ing were licensed to preach: H. A. Dech, J. G. Rosenberger, 
F. G. Borkey, F. G. Danzer, Chas. H. Wagoner, Horace L 
Yeakel, John L. Gruber, A. G. Boyer, Oliver A. Yehl and 
William H. Alspach. Deacon's orders were granted C. D. 
Huber, N. S. Hawk and H. C. Aroh, and Elder's orders to 
J. K. Freed, Thomas Knecht, A. W. Brownmiller, A. M. 
Sweigert, J. S. Heisler and C. W. Heffner. Jos. Boothby 
withdrew and J. H. Woehrle was again received. 



614 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

1896. Central Pa. Conference, Newberry (Williamsport), 
Pa., March 3. R. Dubs, president ; U. F. Swengel, secretary. 
G. R. Stover, W. I. Shambach, Chas. W. Shambacher, Chas. 
Redeker, H. C. Stover, L. M. Dice, H. A. Kiess, F. M. 
Seitz, W. J. Christ, A. A. Winter and L. C. Hunt were li- 
censed to preach. Deacon's orders were granted to C. W. 
Hipple, I. E. Spangler, F. H. Foss, G. W. Heiney, E. B. 
Dunn and C. F. Fry, and Elder's orders to M. A. Kennelly, 
W. B. Cox, J. G. Whitmire and J. H. Furner. J. D. Leister 
withdrew and W. M. Sanner was received. 

1896. Pittsburg Conference, Salisbury, Pa., March 12. 
R. Dubs, president ; J. Q. A. Curry, secretary. J. H. Wise 
was licensed to preach. C. H. Stewart and M. E. Borger 
were granted Deacon's and J. G. Wise Elder's orders. J. W- 
DoMER and Theo. Bach were reelected presiding elders. J. W. 
Domer was appointed to Allegheny, B. F. Feitt to Franklin, and 
T. Bach to Somerset District. 

1896. Illinois Conference, Davis, III., April 9th, W. M. 
Stanford, president; S. F. Entorf, secretary; W. W. Un- 
DERKOFFLER, Emanuel Eller and J. F. VanEvera, were li- 
censed to preach ; J. Eller and J. D. Klopp were advanced to 
Deacon's, and B. F. Ludy, J. H. GAMBERand B. R. Schultze to 
Elder's orders. Henry Schneider, of Michigan, was received. 
W. H. Fouke, F. Busse and E. K. Yeakel were elected pre- 
siding elders. The districts were assigned as follows : Chi- 
cago, F. Busse ; Naperville, E. K. Yeakel ; Freeport, W. H. 
Fouke ; Southern, A. Haefele. 

1896. Des Moines Conference, Lafayette, Iowa, March 
26th, W. M. Stanford, president ; S. A. Walton, secretary ; 
P. Hahn, Jacob Schupp, F. A. Shmalle and E. Wilson were 
licensed to preach. Elder's orders were granted to H. F. 
Strayfeler and John Sass ; P. Schmidt and J. A. Haehlen, of 
the Illinois Conference, were received as probationers ; L. 
Stauffacher returned his credentials ; C. A. Rabing, of the 
Oregon Conference, H. Ohs, W. F. Schwerin, and G. Bern- 
hart, of the Evangelical Association, were admitted. 

1896* Platte River Conference, Ebenezer church. Clay 
county, Kansas, March 12th, W. M. Stanford, president; 
T. W. Serf, secretary ; D. Baine and Asbury Esley were 
licensed to preach ; W. D. Morga was received in the local 
relation ; S. B. Dillow was again and M. T. Maze was 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. G15 

newly elected presiding elders and stationed, the former on 
Blue Springs and the latter on Kearney District ; H. L. Price, 
Freeman Devol and George Stinson were granted Deacon's, 
and F. L. Mason Elder's orders. 

1896. Oregon Conference, Salem, Oregon, April 4th. R. 
Dubs, president ; C. C. Poling, secretary ; C. T. Crow was li 
censed to preach ; B. Hartman, E. E. McVicar and C. A. Rab- 
iNG were granted Deacon's, and T. L. Weaver Elder's orders ; 
C. A. Rabin G took credentials for the Des Moines Conference ; 
M. J. Ballentyne, presiding elder of the conference district. 

18Q6. Ohio Conference, Carey, Ohio, Sept. 17th. R. 
Dubs, president ; J. R. Schweisberger, secretary ; Jesse 
Stoke, N. W. Sager, H. A. Hensel and A. W. Smith were 
licensed to preach ; H. Victor Summers was granted Deacon's, 
and W. Elmer Bailey, J. H. Elder and C. M. Kauffman, El- 
der's orders. The presiding elder districts were consolidated 
into one, and S. E. Rife was newly elected presiding elder and 
placed upon the conference district. 

Notes. — This was a year of great prosperity for the church, 
and all her enterprises were richly blessed of God. With the 
opening of the year the Evangelische Zeitschrift was issued from 
the Publishing House. The Missionary Tidings appeared in an 
enlarged form, and the German Hymn Book was issued. 

The borders of the church were considerably enlarged, es- 
pecially in Minnesota, where several new fields of labor were 
formed. This latter success was chiefly owing to the following 
circumstances : In 1895 there was held a Lay Convention at 
East Prairie, Minn., under the auspices of four adjacent 
charges of the Evangelical Association, for the purpose of 
taking some action against the farcical trial of Rev. H. Linse, 
and other matters of importance to the laity. Rev. H. Ohs, 
who had been selected to preach a sermon before the conven- 
tion, was objected to by the pastor of East Prairie, who made 
many groundless accusations against him. This greatly dis- 
pleased the laymen, and charges were preferred by one of them 
against the accusing minister who in a partisan trial was ex- 
onorated. This manifest travesty of justice opened the eyes of 
the laity, and many determined to withdraw from the Evangel- 
ical Association. Bishop Dubs was sent for, who, owing to 
his inability to be present, sent W. Jonas, of the Des Moines 
Conference. Jonas arrived at Nerstrand, Minn., on New Year, 



616 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS, 

and on January 4th organized two classes. The outcome of 
the matter was that Rev. H. Ohs withdrew from the Evangel- 
ical Association and connected himself with the United Evan- 
gelical Church, and near the close of January took charge of 
the new work. Morristown was also taken up and a church 
building was at once begun. On July 12th, Bishop Dubs dedi- 
cated the Nerstrand, and on the 19th, the Morristown church. 
Urgent appeals came from many promising places for preach- 
ing by our ministers, but the church could do little more than 
arrange for an early supply of the places. In October, Jonas 
for the first time visted Odessa, Minn., and arranged for the 
establishment of the work in that place. In January he also 
visited Wakefield, Hoskins and Pierce, Nebraska, and arranged 
for the permanent occupation of these places. The visit of 
Bishop Dubs to Minnesota in July produced a most salutary 
effect upon the church in that state. Besides the places al- 
ready mentioned, he preached in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ken- 
yon and Blue Earth City, Minn. 

Memorials. — The following ministers passed to their re- 
ward during the year : 

L. ScoBERT, local, Oregon, Feb. i8th, aged 59; A. S. 
Kline, retired, Allentown, Pa., May 2d, aged 36 ; Eli Hahn, 
itinerant, Ida county, Iowa, April 21st, aged 28; George 
Hassenpflug, retired, Cleveland, O., July 23d, (See Biog.); 
Thomas Seebolt, retired, Lansdale, Pa., Sept. 9th, aged 86 ; 
T. L. Weaver, itinerant, Dayton, Ore., Sept., 26th, aged 26 ; 
R. R. VanMeter, retired, Somerset, Pa., aged 50; A. L. Er- 
ISMAN, itinerant, Kutztown, Pa., Oct. 21st, aged 34. 

1897. East Pa. Conference, Allentown, Pa., Feb. 25th. 
R. Dubs, president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary ; W. H. Snyder, 
J. S. Harper, Ammon S. Miller, I. E. Johnson, Walter J. 
Dech, S. G. Hass, Daniel P. Longsdorf, Joseph H. Illick 
and Harry A. Neitz were licensed to preach ; William J. 
Sheifley was advanced to Deacon's, and E. H. Kistler and S. 
H. Chubb to Elder's orders; E. S. Woodring and A. G. Mus- 
selman, probationers, were transferred to other conferences ; 
George Ott, Henry Horn and P. A. Glantz, elders, and 
William J. Ebert and A. H. Martin were received into the 
local relation from other denominations; Prof. C. A. Bowman, 
of the Oregon Conference, was admitted, and C. Bliem was 
regularly added to the list of preachers. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 617 

1897. Central Pa. Conference, Carlisle, Pa., March 4th. 
W. M. Stanford, president; U. F. Swengel, secretary; W. 
W. Stittler, H. a. Snook, J. B. Meloy, O. W. Reichly, J. H. 
Newhouser, C. C. Johnson, A. Sunday, C. W. Guinter, 
James F. Hower and George L. Lovell were licensed to 
preach ; A. D. Gramly, W. N. Fulcomer and M. T. Crouch 
were advanced to Deacon's, and D. F. Young, E. Fulcomer, 
I. N. Bair and F. F. Mayer to Elder's orders. 

1897. Pittsburg Conference, South Fork, Pa., March 
nth, W. M. Stanford, president; J. Q. A.Curry, secretary; 
C. L. Keilheffer, a probationer, was again, and A. S. Mus- 
selman, of the East Pa. Conference, was newly received ; S. 
H. Barlett and L. O. Worman were licensed to preach ; F. 
C. Hetrick and Wilson Lewis were granted Deacon's, and A. 
F. Berkey and D. L. Yoder Elder's orders. 

1897, Illinois Conference, Genesee, 111., April 8th, R. 
Dubs, president ; S. F. Entorf, secretary ; W. B. McCray 
was granted credentials ; C. A. Waltz and M. Speck were ad- 
mitted ; E. LaRosh, p. G. Ludwig, W. B. McCray, G. F. 
Rassweiler, a. C. Huffman and Leon Boozer were licensed 
to preach ; E. G. Knapp, G. O. Rife and Eugene Fuessele 
were ordained as Deacons, and H. C. Stephan as Elder. 

1897. Des Moines Conference, Belle Plaine, la., March 
22d, W. M. Stanford, president, E. B. Utt, secretary; W. J. 
Hahn and C. A. Mueller were granted credentials ; E. J. 
Wicks withdrew ; J. C. Bender, John Meyerhoff, J. P. Gra- 
ham and George Herrick were licensed to preach ; M. J. 
Randall, Karl Kaupp, P. Schmidt, F. Knuth and D. L. 
Hauck were ordained Deacons. 

1897. Platte River Conference, Cozad, Neb., March 
nth, R. Dubs, president; T. W. Serf, secretary; R. A. Pat- 
terson withdrew, and N. J. Kirkpatrick took credentials ; 
Jacob Fresch, C. F. Beller, John Skinner and Ralph 
Grosser were licensed to preach ; W. R. Gill, A. P. Layton, 
J. B. Wolford, Ira McBride, E. W. Brooker, Henry Wood 
and W. B. Maze were advanced to Deacon's orders. 

In conformity with the terms of settlement made by the re- 
spective attorneys of the two rival Platte River Conferences of 
the Evangelical Association, this conference renounced its 
ecclesiastical connection with the Association, and formally be- 



618 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

came in fact, what it had hitherto been in spirit, the Platte 
River Conference of the United Evangelical Church. 

T. W. Serf and L. C. Brooker having- been sent out, the 
former to Illinois and the latter to Pennsylvania, to solicit 
funds in aid of needy churches of this conference, suitable res- 
olutions of thanks were adopted. Brooker was again sent East 
to continue the canvass for funds, and by his efforts many 
weak churches received timely financial help. 

1897. Oregon Conference, Corvallis, Ore., April 23d, 
K. Dubs, president; C. C. Poling, secretary; E. D. Farns- 
woRTH withdrew ; F. J. Strayer took credentials ; N. W. Sa- 
GER, of the Ohio, and H. Deck, of the East Pa. Conference, 
were admitted ; W. C. Smith was licensed to preach ; B. J. 
Kelly was granted Elder's orders ; M. J. Ballentyne, pre- 
siding elder of the conference district. 

1897. Ohio Conference, Canton, O., Sept. 23d, W. M. 
Stanford, president ; J. H. Schweisberger, secretary ; W. J. 
ScHMALLE, of the Illinois Conference, was received ; W. A. 
HoucK and Charles T. Hurd were licensed to preach ; M. M. 
Rader was granted Deacon's and G. A. Smith, Elder's orders ; 
S. E. Rife, presiding elder of the conference district. 

Notes. — The course of events in the church was, this year, 
marked by many evidences of divine favor. On May 2 2d, 
Bishop R. Dubs, as fraternal delegate of the church, appeared 
before the General Conference of the United Brethren in Christ 
and delivered an address which was warmly received and his 
sentiments were reciprocated as in the olden days when Bishop 
Newcomer was wont to visit the '* Albright Brethren," as de- 
tailed in the earlier part of this work. 

In the latter part of July the English Hymn Book left the 
press, giving great delight and satisfaction. 

The church was called upon to mourn the loss of two of her 
strongest pillars, in the person of M. J. Carothers, of Penn- 
sylvania, and D. B. Byers, of Illinois, both of whom had 
borne a conspicuous part in the re-organization of the church 
on the old foundations of the fathers. 

The lines of the church were materially advanced, espec- 
ially in the Northwest. On April 30th, W. Jonas, the pioneer 
presiding elder of this region, arrived at Big Stone City, South 
Dakota, being the first United Evangelical preacher to carry 
the banner of the church to that state. On this same tour he 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 619 

visited Odessa, Minn., where he preached, organized a class 
and arranged for the building of a church. H. Borchard was 
soon thereafter sent there as a missionary. In June, Jonas 
visited Armour, S. D., and gathered the scattered Evangelicals 
of that region into a class. 

In September, Bishop Dubs visited Minnesota and dedi- 
cated the new church at Odessa on the 12th, and that of Slay- 
ton on the 19th of that month. 

Memorials. — The following ministers died during the year: 
L. N. Worman, retired, at Bethlehem, Pa., Jan. 8th, aged 66 
years; Andrew Zeigenfuss, retired, Bethlehem, Pa., Jan. 21st, 
aged 76 years; Ferdinand Smith, itinerant, Millersburg, Pa., 
Feb. nth, aged 50 years; John Wagoner, retired, Laporte, 
Iowa, Feb. 12th, aged 84 years; Martin J. Carothers, retired, 
Newville, Pa., March i8th, aged 72 years, (See Biog. ); D. B. 
Byers, retired, Naperville, 111., July 2d, (See Biog.); H. M. 
LiEBHART, itinerant, Glennville, Nebr., June 28th, aged 54 
years; Professor Otis L. Jacobs, York, Pa., Sept. 29th, aged 
35 years; Wm. Shuler, itinerant, Mt. Joy, Pa., Sept. 26th, 
aged 36 years; G. L. Burson, retired, Tunkhannock, Pa., 
Nov. — , aged 37 years; Chas. Idleman, retired, Fostoria, Ohio, 
Dec. 26th, aged 2>6 years; Joseph Buzzard, retired, Alburnett, 
Iowa, Dec. 26th, aged 78 years. 

1898. East Pa. Conference, Pottsville, Pa., Feb. 24th, 
W. M. Stanford, president ; J. H. Shirey, secretary ; H. A. 
Dech, G. Danzer, W. E. Ebert, H. C. Aroh, and J. W. 
Woehrley, were granted credentials. The following were li- 
censed to preach : Wm. Rhoda, Jerome Garr, H. S. Landis, 
Wm. J. Eby, H. p. Hagner, H. J. Kline, D. H. Gottschalk, 
and Thomas Maternas. Deacon's orders were granted to 
Henry Heppler, J. B. Ehrhart, A. G. Royer, E. H. Hart- 
ENSTEiN, Edgar E. Stauffer, H. C. Lutz, and Dr. C. A. Bow- 
man, and Elder's orders to C. D. Huber, L. O. Wiest, H. C. 
Aroh, W. L. Teel, and W. J. Edleman. 

1898. Central Pa. Conference, Hughsville, Pa., March 
3d, R. Dubs, president; U. F. Swengel, secretary; S. A. Snyder, 
J. H. Rider, J. T. Pettit, W. J. Dice, John M. Price, F. E. 
Fisher, and J. H. Maice, were licensed to preach. Deacon's 
orders were granted to L. M. Dice, R. E. Wilson, J. O. Biggs, 
W. M. Sanner, U. G. Seifert, and N. J. Dubs, and Elder's 
orders to E. B. Dunn, F. H. Foss, C. W. Hipple, and I. E. 



620 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Spangler. W. H. W. Gross withdrew irregularly W. E. Det- 
wiLER, presiding elder of Williamsport District, was elected 
financial agent of Central Pennsylvania College, whereupon he 
resigned the former office, and E. Crumbling was elected to the 
same and assigned to that district. 

1898, Pittsburg Conference, DuBois, Pa., March loth, R. 
Dubs, president ; J. Q. A. Curry, secretary ; Vinton Car- 
many, M. B. Kelly, D. K. Miller, Daniel Berkey, G. C. 
McDowell, and T. J. Barlett received license to preach. H. 
B. Seese, J. C. Powell, S. M. Cousins, and S. H. Barlett 
were granted Deacon's, and S. H. Steward, G. W. Imboden, 
and M. E. Borger, Elder's orders ; J. Esch withdrew. J. Q. 
A. Curry and J. J. Carmany were elected presiding elders. 
The districts were assigned as follows : Allegheny, J. W. Domer ;, 
Franklin, J. J. Carmany ; Somerset, J. Q. A. Curry. 

1898, Illinois Conference, Stockton, 111., March 24th, W. 
M. Stanford, president ; W. Caton, secretary ; W. R. Mar- 
shall was licensed to preach. Deacon's orders were granted E. 
S. WooDRiNG, J. F. VanEvera, Emanuel Eller, W. W. Un- 
DERKOFFLER, and L. C. Schmidt. Elders to J. G. Eller. W. 
J ScHMALLE withdrew. H. W. Beightol took credentials. W. 
Caton was elected financial agent for the prospective college. 
H. Schneider was newly elected to the office of presiding elder, 
and the districts were assigned as follows : Chicago, F. Busse ; 
Naperville, E. K. Yeakel ; Freeport, W. H. Fouke ; Southern, 
H. Schneider. 

1898. Des Moines Conference, Zearing, Iowa, March 31st, 
R. Dubs, president; E. B. Utt, secretary; C. A. Thompson, 
L. H. Wood, P. N. Liddell, Arthur B. Morris, Gerhart 
Huelsebus, H. C.Weiland, Aug. Thuran, J. A. Harris, Aaron 
Ferch, and Carl Affroth were granted license to preach. J. 
Bamford, G. W. Thompson, F. A. Schmalle, J. D. Klooz, 
and J. Haehnlan were advanced to Deacon's, and C. A. Rab- 
iNG to Elder's order. S. A. Walton withdrew. A. L. Golden 
took credentials. H. C. Aroh,. of the East Pa. Conference, and 
J. J. DeWall, a. Walch, E. Wilson, and J. G. Waltz, of 
other denominations were admitted into conference. J. E. 
Stauffacher and G. W. Mullen were elected to the office of 
presiding elder. The districts were assigned as follows : Cedar 
Rapids, G. W. Mullen ; Des Moines, J. E. Stauffacher ; Le- 
Mars, W. Jonas ; Ackley, F. Belzer. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. C21 

1898, Platte River Conference, Alma, Nebr., March 17th, 
H. Dubs, president ; T. W. Serf, secretary ; J. Haldeman took 
>credentials. W. R. Geil withdrew. Wm. Eby, of the East Pa. 
Conference, and J. M. Hamon and S. L. Linsey were admitted. 
J. L. Beebe, Benj. Hilliar, A. E. Miller, C. C. Talbot and 
Charles Taylor were granted license to preach. A. Esley, 
^nd J. M. Runcie were advanced to Deacon's, and H. L. Price, 
and F. Devol to Elder's orders. 

1898. Oregon Conference, Portland, Ore., April 14th, W. 
M. Stanford, president ; C. C. Poling, secretary ; G. J. Cole- 
man, returned to the East; Guy Phelps was admitted; S. M. 
Woods was licensed to preach ; C. T. Crow was granted Deacon's 
and Benjamin Hartman and E. E. McVicar Elder's orders. 

1898. Ohio Conference, Greensburg, O., Sept. 2 2d, W. 
M. Stanford, president ; J. H. Schweisberger, secretary ; 
N. W. Sager, of the Oregon Conference, was received ; H. A. 
Hensel, R. W. Sager and A. W. Smith were advanced to Dea- 
con's, and H. Victor Summers to Elder's orders. 

Notes. — Many noteworthy events mark the progress of the 
year. Many glorious revivals were reported, one of which, at 
Carlisle, Pa., under the pastorate of Rev. M. F. Fosselman, 
resulted in nearly 350 conversions. 

Great progress was made along educational lines. Albright 
Collegiate Institute was advanced to a college grade. W. E. 
Detwiler, of the Central Pa. Conference, was placed in the 
field to solicit endowment funds for Central Pa. College, while 
W. Caton, of the Illinois, was sent out in the interests of a 
prospective educational institution in the West. 

The church continued to extend her borders in many quar- 
ters, and many accessions were reported in Oregon ; the South 
Indiana Conference, and the North West. In February Wil- 
liam Jonas visited Redwood Falls and Renville, Minn., and es- 
tablished the United Evangelical work in that region. 

On July loth, Bishop Dubs dedicated the first church of our 
denomination in the state of North Dakota at Big Stone City. 
Another church was dedicated on Odessa Mission, Minn., July 
17th, and one at Lake Wilson, Minn., Nov. 13th. * 

*In the month of December Presiding Elder Jonas for the first time visited 
the region contiguous to Paynesville and St. Cloud, Minn., preaching with great 
success. A large number of people being desirous of the permanent establish- 
ment of the United Evangelical Church in that region, Jonas appointed Rev. 
Thomas Koch to take charge of the work. 



622 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

E. B. EsHER, attorney-in-chief of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, having repudiated the settlement made between the attor- 
neys and representative of the hitherto rival Platte River Con- 
ferences of the Evangelical Association a new agreement was 
entered into on March 24th, of this year, whereby the ecclesi- 
astical status of each was finally adjudicated. 

Memorials. — The sainted dead of this year embrace several 
notable names, among them was the most prolific author of the 
church, J. Kaechele, and Jacob Saylor, the oldest minister of 
the church, who entered the work in 1834. He was a brother 
of Rev. J M. Saylor, and one of the fruits of the great Or- 
wigsburg revival of 182 1 : 

H. R. Price, retired, died Jan. 9th, Oregon, Mo., aged 73 
years; J. Kaechele, itinerent, died Jan. 27th, Buffalo, N. Y., 
(See Biog.) ; Joseph Snavely, local, died Feb. 14th, Yorkanna^ 
Pa., aged 85 years; F. L. Mason, itinerant, died March 20th, 
Kearney, Neb., aged 39 years; Jacob Saylor, retired, died 
May 7th, Naperville, 111., aged 92 years; E. H. Hartenstein, 
itinerant, died Aug. 27th, Harrisburg, Pa., aged 23 years; Dr. 
J. C. Bowman, local, died Aug. 9th, Girard, O., aged 79 years ; 
Noah Doebler, retired, Snyder county. Pa., died Oct. 29th, 
aged 74 years ; H. H. Bair, retired, Austin, 111., died Nov» 
26th, aged 72 years. 



CHAPTER VIL 



The Second General Conference, Held at Johnstown^ 

Pa., 1898. 

1898. The second General Conference convened in the 
Trinity United Evangelical church, in Johnstown, Pa., Oct. 
6th, 1898. Bishops R. Dubs and W. M. Stanford presided, 
and U. F. Swengel was secretary. There were seated, besides 
the bishops, thirty-nine ministerial delegates and two alter- 
nates, and thirty lay delegates and six alternates ; a total mem- 
bership of seventy-nine. Bishop Dubs read the episcopal mes- 
sage, which was the first in the history of the church. It was 
a very comprehensive document, and gave a lucid review of 
the struggles and triumphs of the church during the past four 
years, with many valuable suggestions which were referred to 
the various committees. 

Fraternal Delegates. — Dr. I. L. Kephart, editor of the 
Religious Telescope and fraternal delegate of the United Breth- 
ren in Christ to this body, appeared before the conference and 
delivered an inspiring address, which was responded to by 
Bishop R. Dubs. H. B. Hartzler was chosen to represent 
this body at the next session of the General Conference of the 
United Brethren in Christ. 

Memorials. — The death of- M. J. Carothers, H. Roh- 
land, J. M. Ettinger, D. B. Byers and J. Kaechele, minis- 
ters, and Prof. O. L. Jacobs and W. P. Huber, laymen, was 
reported, and impressive services were held in their memory. 

Ecumenical Council. — In view of the fact that the third 
Ecumenical Council of Methodism is announced to meet in 
London in the year 1 90 1, and our church having received a 
cordial invitation to participate. Bishops R. Dubs, W. M. 
Stanford, and U. F. Swengel were constituted a committee 
to arrange for our proper representation in that Council. 



624 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Bishop R. Dubs was made the delegate to the Ecumenical 
Methodist Conference to meet in London in 1901, and Bishop 
W. M. Stanford was made the alternate. 

Boundaries. — LeMars and Ackley districts of the Des 
Moines Conference were detached therefrom and constituted 
the Northwestern Conference. Provision was also made for 
the formation of another, to be called the Kansas Conference, 
by detaching a part of the Platte River Conference at such 
time as may be agreed upon by the bishops and the latter con- 
ference. South Cleveland Mission of the Ohio, was added 
to the Illinois Conference. 

Missions. — A deep and universal desire throughout the 
church for the establishing of a mission among the heathen, 
found expression in a resolution for its immediate consumma- 
tion. To the Board of Missions was committed this great un- 
dertaking, and they were instructed to carry out the desire of 
the church just as soon as financial and other conditions would 
warrant the success of the project. 

Books and Publishing Interests. — The report of the pub- 
lisher disclosed a rapid development of the publishing inter- 
ests &t the church. The plant of the Evangelical Publishing 
Company at Harrisburg, Pa., was acquired in 1895 at a cost of 
j5i6,ooo, although its actual value was twice that sum. Ad- 
ditional property adjoining the plant had also been purchased ; 
the publishing house had been enlarged ; new printing presses 
and other costly machinery had been added, so that the estab- 
lishment is now very complete and valuable. A full line of 
church literature is published in both the English and German 
languages. The conference provided for an English Catechism 
by the appointment of a committee consisting of four minis- 
ters, who were authorized to make a selection of, and adopt 
one of several manuscripts presented, or themselves prepare 
one for immediate publication. 

A new and very comprehensive Course of Study for minis- 
ters was adopted, and a committee appointed to whom was en- 
trusted the preparation of a German Course as soon as prac- 
ticable. The Keystone League of Christian Endeavor Depos- 
itory, hitherto located at Reading, Pa., was tendered to, and 
accepted by the General Conference under favorable condi- 
tions, thus completing the unification of all the publishing in- 
terests of the church under her immediate control. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 625 

The Discipline was thorcKighly revised and corrected, the 
principal additions being a section on ' ' Bible Study '* and 
another on *' Evangelists." 

Statistics. — ^The report of the statistician indicated a re- 
markable advancement along all lines of church work, some 
items showing a progress above the average of any other de- 
nomination. The membership was reported as 59,190, a gain 
of 8,950 in three years. Some other items were as follows: 
Itinerant preachers, 426; local preachers, 214; churches, 634; 
parsonages, 145; Sunday-schools, 784; officers and teachers, 
10,602; scholars, 74,651 ; K. L. C. E. Societies, 427; active 
members, 15,170; Junior Societies, 109: membership, 2,667; 
Woman's Missionary Societies, 168; membership, 3,532; 
Junior Societies, 15 ; membership, 465 ; Mission Bands, 90 ; 
membership, 2,917. 

Church Extension. — A Church Extension Society was or- 
ganized, and a constitution adopted. J. G. Mohn, W. E. Det- 
wiLER, J. W. DoMER, B. H. NiEBEL and T. L. Haines were 
elected as trustees of the same. 

Officials Elected. — The following church officers were 
elected for the coming quadrennium : Bishops, R. Dubs and 
W. M. Stanford ; publisher, S. L. Wiest ; editor of the Evan- 
geli€al, H. B. Hartzler ; editor of the Evangelische Zeitschrift, 
C. N. Dubs ; statistician, B. H. Niebel ; Board of Publica- 
tion, S. S. Chubb, J. G. Mohn, W. E. Detwiler, I. Bower, 
J. W. Domer, H. p. Grouse, W. Jonas, T. L. Haines, B. H. 
Niebel and H. L. Lomax. 

Board of Missions. — President, S. L. Wiest; secretary, 
U. F. Swengel; treasurer, J. G. Mohn; corresponding secre- 
tary, W. F. Heil. 

K. L. C. E. Board of Managers. — F. J. Boyer, U. F. 
Swengel, J. Q. A. Curry, S. G. Domer, W. H. Fouke, J. S. 
Bartley, J. H. Mayne, A. L. Keenan and G. S. Smith. 

Delegates — East Pa. Conference, — Clerical, B. J. Smoyer, 
A. M. Sampsel, a. M. Stirk, C. S. Haman, J. D. Woodring, 
W. F. Heil, S. S. Chubb, J. H. Shirey and G. W. Gross*; 
laymen, A. S. Beisel, A. C. Nolf, J. G. Mohn, B. K. Kehler, 
John Hendel, W. Litzenberger, R. W. Bard, W. G. Borg- 

NER.* 

Central Pa. Conference. — Clerical, U. F. Swengel, W. 
E. Detwiler, E. Crumbling, N. Young, A. Stapleton, A. E. 



•26 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

Gobble, J. W. Messenger, H. W. Buck, S. P. Remer, A. H. 
Irvine* ; laymen, I. S. Frain, J. S. Anstine, G. W. Thomas, 
I. Bower, Charles Shaffer, W. A. Morris,* J. S. Hetrick.* 

Pittsburg Conference. — Clerical, J. J. Carmany, J. W. Do- 
MER, J. Q. A. Curry, B. F. Feitt, A. J. Bird ; laymen, J. S. 
KiMMEL, D. Lavely, F. p. Hetrick, J. Troutman. 

Ohio Conference. — Clerical, S. E. Rife, L. M. Boyer ; lay- 
men, D. Z. Herr, R. M. Burkett. 

Illinois Conference. — Clerical, W. H. Fouke, E. K. Yeakel, 
F. Busse, H. Schneider, A. Haefele, W. Caton, S. F. En- 
TORF ; laymen, J. Strickfaden, I. J. Vogelgesang, H. Meisel, 
S. Senneff, D. B. Givler, B. H. Sodt*, H. H. Lichten- 
walner.* 

Des Moines Conference. — Clerical, W. Jonas, B. H. Niebel, 
J. E. Stauffacher, Emil Mueller, G. W. Mullen ; laymen, 
N. R. Clift, E. E. Hoover, O. F. Henkel, J. Spies, G. 
Nicholas. 

Platte River Conference. — Clerical, S. B. Dillow, M. T. 
Maize ; laymen, J. A. Smith, H. Wingart.* 

Oregon Conference. — Clerical, C. C. Poling ; laymen, Eli 
Seese. 

^Alternates. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



The Church Societies. — The Keystone Leag^te of Chris- 
tian Endeavor. 

This society was constituted an organization of the church 
at the Philadelphia General Conference. The Managing Board 
met in that city on Oct. 13th, and elected the following officers 
for the society : President, W. H. Fouke ; vice-president, W. 
C. Weiss ; secretary, U. F. Swengel ; treasurer, F. Pfunder. 
In a short time many local societies were formed : The first to 
report, were York, (Trinity) Pa., Shannon, 111., Sterling, 111., 
Freeport, 111., and Forreston, 111., in the order named. The 
Keystone League of Christan Endeavor of the United Evangel- 
ical Church, was recognized immediately after its organization, 
as an integral part of the United Society of Christian Endeavor 
by its founder and president, Dr. Francis Clark, and is repre- 
sented by a trustee on the Board of the United Society. 

The first distinctively K. L. C. E. convention was held at 
Lewisburg, Pa., June 16, 1892, and was under the auspices of 
the Central Pa. Conference. Organizations were soon effected 
in all the conferences, and conference and district conventions 
held. The influence of the Society in developing the latent tal- 
ent, especially of the young, in the church, has been most salu- 
tary. 

Missionary Society. — The Parent Missionary Society of 
the United Evangelical Church passed through many trying or- 
deals during the period of the church disruption. Soon after 
the Philadelphia General Conference, an action at law was 
brought against the treasurer, M. Kunkel, at Chicago, 111., by 
the ** Majority" leaders, restraining him from receiving money 
in the name of the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. In October, 1892, the society held its annual meeting 

627 



628 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

at Canton, Ohio, where an additional action was instituted 
against its officers by the opposition. 

Notwithstanding all these difficulties, the energetic corres- 
ponding secretary, Rev. B. J. Smoyer, remained faithfully at his 
post and rendered valuable service to the church. The treasurer 
having resigned, the executive committee of the Board of Mis- 
sions elected J. G. Mohn, of Reading, Pa., to that office in 
May, 1892, and who was re-elected to that office by the General 
Conference in 1894 and 1898. The meetings of the Board of 
Missions have been as follows : 

1895. Lewisburgj Pa., Oct. 3d, president, S. L. Wiest ; 
vice-president, I. Bower ; secretary, U. F. Swengel ; treasurer, 
J. G. Mohn ; W. F. Heil, for the East Pa. Conference ; W. E. 
Detwiler, Central Pa. Conference; A. J. Bird, Pittsburg 
Conference ; A. W. Brown, Ohio Conference ; W. H. Fouke, 
Illinois Conference ; W. Jonas, Des Moines Conference ; Bishop 
W. M. Stanford, Oregon Conference; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Krecker, W. M. S. 

1896. Baltimore^ Md., Oct. 8th, S. L. Wiest, president; 
I. Bower, vice president; U. F. Swengel, secretary; J. G. 
MoHN, treasurer; W. F. Heil, East Pa. Conference; W. E. 
Detweiler, Central Pa. Conference ; F. W. Barlett, Pittsburg 
Conference; W. E. Bailey, Ohio Conference; W. H. Fouke, 
Illinois Conference; B. H. Niebel, Des Moines Conference; 
Bishop W. M. Stanford, Platte River Conference; Bishop R. 
Dubs, Oregon Conference; Mrs. W. H. Fouke, W. M. S. 

1897. Reading, Pa., Oct. 7th, S. L. Wiest, president; I. 
Bower, vice-president; U. F. Swengel, secretary; J. G. 
Mohn, treasurer ; A. M. Sampsel, East Pa. Conference ; W. E. 
Detwiler, Central Pa. Conference ; A. J. Bird, Pittsburg 
Conference ; W. W. Sherrick, Ohio Conference ; W. H. Fouke, 
Illinois Conference; Emil Mueller, Des Moines Conference; 
Bishop W. M. Stanford, Platte River Conference ; Bishop R. 
Dubs, Oregon Conference ; Mrs. W. H. Fouke, W. M. S. 

1898. Johnstowtty Pa., Oct. loth, S. L. Wiest, president; 
I. Bower, vice-president; U. F. Swengel, secretary; A. M. 
Sampsel, East Pa. Conference ; A. H. Irvine, Central Pa. 
Conference ; A. J. Bird, Pittsburg Conference ; W. S. Harp- 
ster, Ohio Conference; W. H. Fouke, Illinois Conference; 
Emil Mueller, Des Moines Conference; M. T. Maze, Platte 
River Conference ; C. C. Poling, Oregon Conference ; Mrs. 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 629 

C. F. Rassweiler, W. M. S ; Bishops Dubs and Stanford ad- 
visory members. 

The Woman's Missionary Society. — This Society may be 
said to be the only organization of the Evangelical Association 
that as a whole remained true to the '^ Minority." This was 
due to the fact that its organization was effected, and its cause 
championed against considerable opposition from *•' official" 
sources by that part of the church with which it subsequently 
cast its lot. The influence of Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker, the 
widow of the sainted Dr. F. Krecker, was also most salutary. 
Through all these years of conflict she was unremitting in her 
labors of love for the holy cause of missions. She attended 
nearly all the conference sessions, and made frequent and ex- 
tended journeys, organized local societies, delivered addresses, 
etc., in the interests of the cause. 

Owing to the division of the church, the Society was de- 
prived of its organ, the Missionary Messenger^ but this loss was 
soon overcome by the appearance of the Missionary Tidings as 
its organ, and hence the various interests of the society have 
had a continuous succession from the founding of the society to 
the present time.* The annual conventions since 1887 to 1898, 
with the officers elected at each session, have been as follows : 

1888. Chicago, 111., Sept. 28-30, president, Mrs. H. B. 
Hartzler; recording secretary, Mrs. M. A. Baltz; corres- 
ponding secretary, Mrs. C. F. Rassweiler; treasurer, Mrs. 
Nellie G. Schneider. 

1889. Reading, Pa., Sept. 20-22, president, Mrs. C. F, 
Rassweiler; vice-president, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker ; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. M. A. Baltz ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. 
S. F. Entorf; treasurer, Mrs. N. G. Schneider; superintendent 
of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines. " 

1890. Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 19-22, president, Mrs. C. F. 
Rassweiler; vice-president, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker; re- 
cording secretary, Mrs. M. A. Baltz; corresponding secretary, 
Mrs. Ada B. Collins; treasurer, Mrs. Nellie G. Schneider; 
superintendent Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines ; general or- 
ganizer, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker. 

*Bythe re-organization in 1895, the efficiency of the society was greatly 
increased. The creation of a Woman's Board of Missions, and by the admit- 
tance of a representative in the Board of the Parent Society, the unifying of the 
missionary interests of the church became complete. 



630 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

1891. Naperville, 111., Nov. 7-10, president, Mrs. C. F. 
Rassweiler ; vice-president, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker ; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. M. A. Baltz ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. 
Ada B. Collins ; treasurer, Mrs. Nellie G. Schneider ; su- 
perintendent of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines ; general 
organizer, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker. 

1892. Johnstown^ Pa., Sept. 24-27, president Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Krecker; vice-president, Mrs. C. F. Rassweiler; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. S. P. Remer; corresponding secretary, Mrs. 
W. M. Stanford; treasurer, Mrs. S. L. Wiest; superintendent 
of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines ; general organizer, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Krecker; editor of the newly established Missionary 
Tidings^ Mrs. F. G. Stauffer. 

1893. Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 21-24, president, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Krecker; vice-president, Mrs. U. F. Swengel ; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. S. P. Remer ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. 
W. M. Stanford; treasurer, Mrs. W. Detwiler ; superintend- 
ent of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines ; general organizer, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker; editor of Missionary Tidings, Mrs. 
F. G. Stauffer. 

1894. Williamsportj Pa., Sept. 20-24, president and or- 
ganizer, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker ; vice-president, Mrs. W. M. 
Stanford ; recording secretary, Mrs. S. P. Remer ; correspond- 
ing secretary, Mrs. B. F. Bowman ; treasurer, Mrs. W. E. Det- 
wiler; superintendent of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines ; 
editor of Missionary Tidings, Mrs. Emma Divan. 

1895. Lewisburg, Pa., Sept. 12-15, president and organ- 
izer, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker; vice-president, Mrs. W. M. 
Stanford; recording secretary, Mrs. S. P. Remer; correspond- 
ing secretary, Mrs. B. F. Bowman ; treasurer, Mrs. W. E. Det- 
wiler; superintendent of Mission Bands, Mrs. T. L. Haines; 
editor of Missionary Tidings, Mrs. Emma Divan. 

1896. Glen Rock, Pa., Oct. i, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker, 
president ; Mrs. W. M. Stanford, vice-president ; Mrs. S. P. 
Remer, recording secretary ; Miss Carrie Bordlemay, corres- 
ponding secretary ; Mrs. W. E. Detwiler, treasurer ; Mrs. T. 
L. Haines, superintendent of Mission Bands ; Mrs. A. H. Irvine, 
superintendent of Junior Society ; Mrs. C. N. Dubs, superintend- 
ent of Bureau of Literature ; Mrs. Emma Divan, editor of 
Missionary Tidings. 

1897. Reading, Pa., Sept. 30, Mrs. Elizabeth Krecker, 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 631 

president and organizer ; Mrs. T. L. Haines, vice-president 
and superintendent of Mission Bands ; Mrs. S. P. Remer, secre- 
tary; Mrs. W. E. Detwiler, treasurer; Mrs. A. H. Irvine, 
superintendent of Junior Society; Mrs. C. N. Dubs, superintend- 
ent of literature ; Mrs. Emma Divan, editor of Missionary 
Tidings; Mrs. Marguerite Krecker Vincent, editor of J//>- 
sionary Evangelical. 

1898. South Fork, Pa., Oct. 6-10, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Krecker, president and organizer ; Mrs. T. L. Haines, vice- 
president and superintendent of Mission Bands ; Mrs. S. P. 
Remer, secretary ; Mrs. W. E. Detwiler, treasurer ; Mrs. C. 
N. Dubs, superintendent of literature ; Mrs. M. M. T. Fouke, 
editor of Missionary Tidings ; Mrs. Marguerite Krecker Vin- 
cent, editor of Missionary Evangelical ; Mrs. Josie McLaine, 
superintendent of Young People*s Societies. 

Literary Institutions. — By the most reprehensible ma- 
nipulations the Esher faction gained control of the North 
Western College at Naperville, 111., in the early stages of the 
difficulty. Its efficient president, Prof. H. H. Rassweiler, 
was removed, and Bishop Thomas Bowman took his place. 

In the East, Central Pa. College at New Berlin, Pa., and 
Schuylkill Seminary at Fredericksburg, Pa., remained in full 
control of the minority until after the decision of the supreme 
court in October, 1894. In the autumn of this year Prof. G. 
Holtzapfel resigned the presidency of Schuylkill Seminary, and 
Prof. E. Chubb succeeded him. The buildings of Palatinate 
College, situated at Myerstown, Pa., were leased by the repre- 
sentatives of the East Pa. Conference, and the school was re- 
moved from Schulkill Seminary to that place near the close of 
December, the entire faculty and nearly all the students for- 
sook the old, and went with the new institution. At the next 
session of the East Pa. Conference the institution was named 
'* Albright Collegiate Institute." In the spring of 1896 the 
property was purchased for the sum of ^10,000. The value of 
the property is at the present time three times the amount paid 
for it. In the spring of 1896 the institution was advanced to a 
full college grade. 

Prof. Chubb was succeeded as principal in the summer of 
1895 by Rev J. B. Esenwein, who was succeeded in the autumn 
of 1896 by Prof. C. A. Bowman. 

Central Pa. College suffered no interruption whatever through 



632 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

the church division, although its patronage was somewhat lim- 
ited by reason of the uncertainty of the outcome, which was 
happily removed by the purchase of the institution on May ii, 
1896. 

At the session of the Central Pa. Conference in 1898, Rev. 
W. E. Detwiler, was elected as financial agent of the institu- 
tion, steps having been taken to raise an endowment fund of 
^100,000, for the sustentation of the college. 

Lafayette Seminary, situated at Lafayette, Ore., was also 
saved as an institution of the United Evangelical Church by a 
process of transfer. Its financial embarrassment, incurred in 
consequence of the church troubles, was relieved by confer- 
ence pledges in the East in 1895. 

After the spring session of 1895, Prof. C. A. Bowman, who 
had for some time been its efficient president, returned East to 
accept a position in Albright College, and Rev. C. C. Poling 
took his place. At the opening of the following fall term, 
Prof. D. M. Metzger, of the Central Pa. Conference, was 
added to the faculty of that institution. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Additional Short Biographical Sketches. 

Rev. Martin J. Carothers. — This distinguished man of 
God was born of Scotch-Irish ancestry, Aug. 14, 1825, at 
Plainfield, Cumberland Co., Pa., and died in Newville, near 
the place of his birth, March 18, 1897. In 1842 he was con- 
verted to God under the labors of Rev. Moses Bower and 
soon thereafter realized an inward call to the work of the min- 
istry. In 1846 he attended the session of the West Pa. (now 
the Central) Conference of the Evangelical Church where he 
was licensed to preach, and was assigned to a charge. Although 
unable to exercise in the German language at a time when that 
tongue was almost exclusively used, he nevertheless at once 
took high rank among his brethren and was well received by 
the people. 

Already in 185 1 he was elected as an alternate to General 
Conference, and in 1855 he attended the General Conference 
as a delegate, and represented his conference in that capacity 
at every succeeding one up to the time of his death. He rep- 
resented his conference in the Board of Missions many years, 
and also served one term on the Board of Publication. 

His service to his own conference was varied and valuable, 
and for many years he was regarded as the leader of that body. 
For seventeen successive years he was treasurer and managed 
the finances with exceptional ability. In 1868 he was elected 
presiding elder and served three terms ; again elected in 1883 he 
served three terms more, twenty-four years in all in that office. 

Brother Carothers took advanced grounds in educational 
matters, and to him may be attributed the saving for the church 
of the Union Seminary (now Central Pa. College) when it was 
overtaken by financial disaster as the result of the civil war. 
As a writer he was little known, but as an eloquent and pow- 
erful preacher and leader he stood in his palmy days without a 



-634 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

superior in the church. la the disruption period he proved a 
tower of strength to the minority, and his wise counsels, moral 
courage and immovable devotion to the principles of the 
fathers was an inspiration to many faltering ones. His wish to 
die **m the harness'* was virtually granted, as he took a super- 
annuated relation but a few weeks before his death. His wife 
and five children survived him. 

Daniel B, Byers was bom in Ohio in 1835. In 1850 
the family removed to Illinois. In early life he became a sin- 
cere Christian, and through the promptings of the Spirit dedi- 
cated his life to the work of the ministry. In 1856 he was 
licensed by the Illinois Conference, and assigned to a charge. 
He rose rapidly in the estimation of his conference and was 
always given appointments requiring the highest qualifications. 
In 1868 he was elected presiding elder and assigned to Freeport 
District. In 1876 he was again elected to that office and once 
more assigned to Freeport District. Again elected to that 
office in 1882 he served Elgin District two years, and Mendota 
District the same length of time. Re-elected in 1890, he was 
xissigned to Naperville District, but failing health compelled 
him to resign the office in 1891. 

Brother Byers served four times as delegate to the General 
Conference under the Evangelical Association, and also to the 
General Conferences of the United Evangelical Church at 
Philadelphia in 1891, and Naperville in 1894. He possessed 
many excellent qualities of mind and heart. His pulpit efforts 
evinced thoroughness of preparation, while determinate straight- 
forwardness characterized his official life. His pen was tren- 
chant and prolific, and furnished many timely articles for the 
church periodicals. He was the author of two excellent books, 
namely, ^'Physical Death Not the Penalty '' (1869), and ^'The 
Christian Sabbath " (1879). H^ ^^^o furnished articles repre- 
senting the United Evangelical Church, for the New York //;- 
dependeniy and **The American Series of Church Histories.*' 

After a long season of suffering, he passed to his reward at 
Naperville, 111., July 2, 1897, being survived by his w?fe and 
six children. 

Rev. Jacob Kaechele was bom Dec. 23, 1832, in Rot- 
tenacker, Wuertemberg, Germany. In 1854 he emigrated to 
Canada where he was converted in 1855. ^^ i^S^ he entered 
the ministry of the Evangelical Association in Canada. In 1866 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 635 

he was sent by the Board of Missions as missionary to Switzer- 
'land where he labored with wonderful success. In 1868 he was 
elected presiding elder and assigned to the Swiss District. Re- 
elected in 1872, he was placed on Reutlingen District. In 1871 
he was elected by the General Conference as editor of the Evan- 
gelische Botschafter^ and re-elected to the same office in 1875, 
thus filling several responsible offices at the same time. 

He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1871, 1875, 
1879 and 1883. In the disruption of the church he was a pro- 
nounced minority man, and as pastor of an Evangelical con- 
gregation in Buffalo, N. Y., he gathered his members of like 
sentiment into an independent society, which later connected it- 
self with the United Evangelical Church, and with Bro. Kae- 
CHELE as pastor, was taken into the East Pa. Conference. In 
this relation he passed to his reward after intense and pro- 
longed suffering, Jan. 27, 1898. 

Bro. Kaechele was a profound thinker, an intensely spirit- 
ual and earnest preacher, and a prolific writer. His published 
works comprise the following titles, ** Reflections on the Lord's 
Prayer," *' Reflections on the Decalogue," ''The Final Tri- 
umph of Christianity," '' The Parisian Blood Nuptials," "• Blas- 
pheming the Holy Spirit," ''Restoration of All Things," "On 
Mormonism," " On the Signs of the Times," "Jesus in Moses," 
"Sketches of Sermons on Isolated Texts," Discourses at Wed- 
dings and Funerals;" "The Evangelical Catechism," "Fifty 
Sketches of Sermons on the Holy Spirit," and "Waiting for 
the Second Coming of Christ." 

Rev. Amos M. Stirk was born at Terre Hill, Lancaster 
■Co., Pa., June 15, 1837, and died suddenly of heart failure, at 
his home in Lebanon, Pa., Feb. 6, 1900, aged 62 years, 7 months 
and 21 days. Brother Stirk was converted when young, and 
was licensed to preach in 1867, by the East Pa. Conference. 

In 1868 he entered the active ranks, and rose rapidly in pub- 
lic estimation. He was a member of every General Conference 
from 1883 to the time of his death. In 1884 he was elected 
.presiding elder and assigned to Harrisburg District, which he 
served four years. Re-elected in 1888, he served Reading Dis- 
trict three years, when he resigned his office and served Salem 
congregation in Allentown one year. Again elected presiding 
elder in 1892, he served Philadelphia District two years and 
Allentown District one year. Re-elected under the new church 



636 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

constitution in 1895, he served AUentown District four years 
more. He was re-elected in 1899 for the last time and assigned 
to Harrisburg District. 

Brother Stirk was held in high esteem throughout the churck 
as a faithful minister and wise counsellor, and his loss was keenly 
velt. He was survived by a wife and three children. 



CHAPTER X. 



ADDENDA. 

It seems desirable to add a brief resum6 of important events 
relating to the United Evangelical Church since 1898, before 
finally closing this work. The Great Head of the Church has 
continued the bestowment of His gracious favors, and conse- 
quent prosperity has crowned the various interests of our Zion 
down to the closing year of the century. 

Boundaries. The boundaries of the church have been 
recently extended by the organization of the Northwestern Con- 
ierence in 1899. The conference was constituted into two dis- 
tricts, with W. Jonas and Emil Mueller as the presiding elders. 
Kimball and Paynesville Missions in Minnesota, and Anamoose 
in North Dakota, were constituted. A mission was also located 
this year at Omaha, Neb., and one at St. Paul, Minn., the year 
following. 

Foreign Mission. The Board of Missions carried out the 
instructions of the General Conference by establishing a heathen 
mission. This, however, was not accomplished without much 
research and a careful canvass for unoccupied ground. 

After prayerful consideration the province of Hunan, in 
China, was selected as the mission field. At a meeting of the 
Executive Committee, held at Reading, Pa., Jan. 10, 1900, a 
superintendent for the work was selected in the person of Rev. 
C. Newton Dubs, of the Illinois Conference, a son of Bishop 
Dubs, and editor of the Evangelische Zeitschrift. At a later 
-date Rev. A. Wesley Mell, of Iowa, was selected as an addi- 
tional missionary. These men of God accepted the responsible 
trust, and with their life companions are now making prepara- 
tion for their departure to their designated fields. 

Educational* The educational projects of the Western 
conferences culminated in the acquirement of the LeMars 
/(Iowa) Normal School buildings under very favorable condi- 

637 



638 THE EVANGELICAL ANNALS. 

tions. The estimated value of the property being $35,000. The 
meeting at which final action was taken was held at LeMars, 
April 10, 1900, and was attended by Bishops Dubs and Stan- 
ford, and the following representatives from their respective 
conferences: H. Schneider, S. F. Entorf and C. Plagge, of 
the Illinois ; M. T. Maze and S. B. Dillow, of the Platte River ; 
Wm. Klinefelter, E. B. Utt and N. R. Clift, of the De& 
Moines; and Wm. Jonas, Emil Mueller and Henry Schneider, 
of the Northwestern. The new institution was named the 
Western Union College. Prof. H. H. Thoren, of Illinois, was 
chosen as president, and B. F. Niebel as general agent of 
the college; Arrangements were made for the opening of the 
institution in the month of September following in all depart- 
ments with a full and excellent faculty. 

A change in the location of our institution of learning on the 
Pacific Coast became advisable, and in consequence of which a 
desirable property was secured in the town of Dallas, Oregon, 
under very advantageous conditions. To this new location the 
institution hitherto situated at Lafayette, Oregon, is to be re- 
moved as soon as convenient, and without any change in the 
management of the same. Rev. C. C. Poling, who for a num- 
ber of years has been the president of Lafayette Seminary, will 
continue in that capacity in Dallas College. 

Statistical. The official statistics of the church afford us 
the following aggregates : 1899 — membership, 59,830 ; itinerant 
preachers, 454; local preachers, 223; churches, 734. 1900 — 
membership, 60,993 ; itinerant preachers, 478 ; local preachers, 
202 ; churches, 763. 

Conference Sessions — 1899. East Pa., Mohnsville,. 
Pa., Feb. 23, Bishop Dubs, chairman; Central Pa., Lewisburg, 
Pa., March 2, Bishop Stanford, chairman; Pittsburg, Haw- 
thorne, Pa., March 9, Bishop Stanford, chairman. This con- 
ference resolved hereafter to hold its sessions in the Autumn,, 
and effected the change by holding its next session in Septem- 
ber of this same year. Ohio, Findlay, O., Sept., 28, Bishop^ 
Dubs, chairman; Illinois, Naperville, 111., March 23, Bishop- 
Dubs, chairman ; Des Moines, near Hinton, Iowa, March 30, 
Bishop Dubs, chairman ; Northwestern — this conference was- 
formed by a division of the Des Moines, and had its first ses- 
sion immediately after the Stationing Committee reported. 
Bishop Dubs presided. Platte River, Dawson, Neb., March^ 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 639^ 

16, Bishop Stanford, chairman ; Oregon, Lafayette, Ore., April 
13, Bishop Stanford, chairman. 

1900, East Pa., Lancaster, Pa., Feb., 2«, Bishop Stan- 
ford, chairman; Central Pa., Williamsport, Pa., March i. 
Bishop Dubs, chairman; Pittsburg, Johnstown, Pa., Septem- 
ber; Ohio, Youngstown, O., September; Illinois, Barrington, 
111., March 22, Bishop Dubs, chairman; Des Moines, Iowa 
Centre, Iowa, March 29, Bishop Stanford, chairman; North- 
western, Ackley, Iowa, April 5, Bishop Dubs, chairman ; Platte 
River, Blue Springs, Neb., March 15, Bishop Dubs, chairman;. 
Oregon, Hilisboro, Ore., April 19, Bishop Dubs, chairman. 

Ministerial Necrology— 1899. J. F. Thomas, local, at 
York, Pa., March 15, aged 74 years ; J. B. Fox, itinerant, at 
York, Pa., April 29, aged 40 years ; W. F. Walker, retired, at 
Chicago, 111., June 12, aged 67 years; P. L. Ellis, local, at 
Cambridge, Neb., June 30, aged 86 years ; John Miller, re- 
tired, at Naperville, 111., Sept. 11, aged 78 years; Abraham 
Loehner, retired, at Colfax, Ohio, Sept. 21, aged 87 years; 
O. P. Crawford, local, at Radcliffe, Iowa, Sept. 2, aged 80 
years. 

1900. A. M. Stirk, itinerant, Lebanon, Pa., Feb. 6, aged 
62 years ; F. P. Lehr, itinerant, died at conference session, 
Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 24, aged 71 years; J. G. Whitmire, re- 
tired, at Bloomsburg, Pa., April 5, aged 44 years ; C. F. Fry,^, 
local, at Nescopeck, Pa., May 5, aged 47 years. 



CHAPTER XL 



Statisticai. Table of Membership Since 1887 of the Con- 
ferences Constituting 

THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 



Conferences. 



1888 



1890 



1891 



East Pa., ... 
Central Pa.,. 
Pittsburg, . . 

Ohio, 

Illinois, 

Des Moines, . 
Platte River, 
Oregon, . . . . 



17,148 

14,903 
8,817 



11,455 
3,9^5 
1,836 

1,295 



120 
91 
63 



105 
41 
25 

14 



17,958 

14,280 

9,066 



11,637 

4,249 
1,848 

1,539 



114 
88 

63 



lOI 

40 
25 

17 



18,190 

14,424 
9,510 



11,507 
4,503 

*2,000 

*i,65o 



116 
92 
62 



18.532 

14,562 

9,992 



113 
97 
63 



4,543 
1,855 
1,521 





1892 


1893 


1894 


1895 


Conferences. 


2 

n 


i 

■M 

c 

M 





1 
1 


12 

a, 
1 




1 

B 

V 


S2 

i 

1 


2 

0) 


H 

u 



s 


1 

1 


52 

V 


1 


1 


East Pa., 

Central Pa., .. 

Pittsburg, 

Ohio, 


18,334 
14.932 

9.737 


92 
102 

64 


66 

54 
28 


18,819 

15,430 

9,310 

1,688 

5,131 

2,^3 
1,063 


87 

100 

61 

8 

62 

20 
17 


76 

54 

28 

8 

29 

13 

7 


18,524 
16,754 
9.992 
2,254 
4,627 
5.426 
2,781 


98 

103 
62 

*56 
52 
21 


70 
51 
25 

25 
21 
10 


13.990 
15,829 

8.795 
2,409 

5,053 

4,602 

2,166 

926 


89 

102 

58 

20 

72 
48 

17 


48 

43 
^6^ 


69 


17 
7 


Illinois, 








.0 


15 
19 

2 


Des Moines, . . 
Platte River, . . 
Oregon, 


5.407 
1,860 


52 
21 


23 

17 


29 
5 


36 

10 



* Estimated. 



640 



THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 



641 



Statistical Table of Membership Since 1887 of the Con- 
ferences Constituting 

THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 

( Concluded. ) 







1896 








1897 








1898 










t 

Si, 


\h 








1) 


tr 








1 


w 










"i 


lU 








^ 


1- 
V 
















CONFEBENCKS 







J3 









V 











JJ 


J3 








w5 


;x, 




t^ 




S2 


Oh 




^ 


IV) 


w 


Oh 




ffi 


?^n 




s 


c 
2 

.1 


Oh 




Si. 


i 


s 


c 

(U 

c 


cu 


J3 


c 


a 


C 

i 




J3 


c 
§ 




^ 


^ 


^ 


V 


a. 


s 


•^ 


^ 


U 


ol 


s 


»-i 


.-1 


u 


A, 


East Pa. 


14,818 


84 


46 


IIO 


16 


15.322 


9551 140 


16 


16,181 


9661 


155 


18 


Central Pa., . . 


16,489 


10.V45 


192 


28 


16,821 


105 45 192 


30 


17.542 


105 


46218 


36 


Pittsburg, 


7.569 


5218 


63 


18 


7.751 


4920 


87 


16 


7.885 


45 


i8|to6 


13 


Ohio, 


2.562 


17 


8 


21 


3 


2.763 


16' 9 


27 


4 


2,798 


23 


8 35 


9 


Illinois, 


5>554 


61 


26 


62 


24 


5.865 


7222 


64 


28 


6,094 


70 


24 


69 


30 


Des Moines, . . 


4,597 


49 


25 


42 


28 


4.577 


5127 


53 


23 


4,716 


56 


37 


65 


30 


Platte River, . . 


2,714 


26 


22 


22 


15 


2,707 


19 19 


29 15 


2,868 


21 


13 


29 


16 


Oregon, 


964 


15 


5 


12 


I 


954 


17 9 


10 2 1,048 


15 


7 


15 


5 



Index and Ministerial Register of tlie Evangelical 

-1196-1891. 



^LBRIGHT, JACOB, beginning 
«f ministry, 19; co-laborers of, 
20; ordination of, 22; biog. of 
513. 

Albriglit Memorial church, 42. 

"Albrights," the so-called, 220. 

Albright Seminary, est., 199; 305. 

Apostolic Succession, 179. 

Asbury, Bishop, interview, 170. 

Adams County, work est. in, 117. 

Allentown, work est. in, 97, 101. 

RAPTISM, subjects and mode, 

252, 238. 
Beaver Dam class, 61. 
Beaver, Rev. Peter, 32— Gov. 

James A., 32. 
Becker fam., converted, 37, 39. 
Bertolette fam., the, 29. 
Bequests of, Mrs. Hecht— F. Mil- 
ler, 34-HGeo. Putnam, 141— H. 

—Henry Eby, 206— D. Kreibil, 

206. 
Bedford County, work est., 128. 
Bersch Wm., note on, 212. 

Engel, 206— Maria Kuster, 206 
Biblical Institutes, regulatlon,377. 
Boehm, Rev. Martin, 15. 
Blockhouse, work at, 105. 
Blairstown Seminary, est., 200. 
Book Establishment, hist, of, 208 

—Book com., 230— Books pub. 

of, 223. 249, 252— prices re.gu- 

la^ted, 233— Bishop Seibert's 

gi-eat order for, 264. 
Board of Publication, 213. 
Breiten stein fam., hist., 42. 
Brush Valley, work est., 87. 
Brobst fam., the, 27. 
Buchman fam., 119. 
Buckwalter fam., 26. 

643 



CAMBRIA COUNTY, work est. 

in, 131. 
Canada, 110. 
Canton Cir., Ohio, 138. 
Catechetical Instruction, 220 
Catechism, 269. 
Central Penna. College, 196. 
Centennial College project 404 
Cemetery, the first Evan., 223 
Circuits, the first, 24, 56, 134 
Classes, the first, 25, 26, 57, 218 
Class meetings enjoined, 28.3. 
Conventions, dist., origin of, 31^ 
Conferences, formed, 219— West- 
ern, 234— West Penna., 258— 
Ohio, 258— Illinois, 270— New 
York. 282— Pittsburg, 299-In- 
diana 299-Wis., 212-Central 
Z." ,326-Iowa, 326-Canada, 
342-^Mich., 342— Kansas, 342— 
Atlantic, 398— Erie, 398— Pa- 
cific, 398— S. Indiana, 398— 
Des Moines, 398-Platte River, 
433— Nebr., 433-Oregon, 447- 
Cal., 447— Dakota, 447. 
Church Edifice, the first, 69, 225 
Charitable Soc, inst. of, 206. 
Children's Dfjy, origin of, 208 
Christliche Botschafter 211 
Crum Class formed, 52. 

D^^I^I^<5ER, PROF. DAVID, 

Dreisbach fam., hist., 74-77 
Discipline, book of, 168, 362! 

ECIJMENICAD COUNCIL OIF 

Meth.. 420. 
Education, higher, 182, 193, 269, 

276. 
Episcopacy, the. 165. 300 
Ettinger fam., hist., 115. 116 
Emigrant Miss., est., 459. 



644 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



;:*:Erie Co., Seibert's work in, 107. 

Evergreen, the pub. of, 387. 

Emigration to. New York, 108— 
Ohio, 151— Illinois, 156, 158. 

Ev. Botschafter, the, 480. 

Ev. Magazine, 378. 

Ev. Messenger, 211. 

Evangelical Association, origin 
of, 9-17; Name adopted, 224; 
Proposed change, 421; Doc- 
trines, 164; History of, 258, 311; 
Semi-centennial of, 292; Loy- 
alty of, 351, 361. 

Eyer fam.. hist. of. 20. 

PFAYETTE COUNTY, work in, 

* 132. 

Fleisher, John, letter of, 133. 

Florida, miss, est., 458. 

Fraternal Delegates, the first,270. 

Franklin Cir. formed, 111. 

Fry fam., the, 64. 

riERMANY, work est. in, 474. 

^^ Geistliche Saitenspiel, das, 224. 

General Assembly, the first, 22. 

General meetings, 26, 218; Confer- 
ence, the first, 224; Members 
of, 228, 249; First delegate 
conf., 269. 

Greensburg Seminary, est., 200. 

Gleim. Geo., 35. 

Gipple fam., 53 

AMMER FAM., conversion of, 
92. 

Hamburg, Albright, visits, 28. 
Haldeman's,, preaching place, 34. 
Heathen Mission, 481. 
Hirakawa, T., ord. of, 484. 
History, Orwig's, 311. 
Huguenots, the, 10. 
Hudson, Miss Rachel, 483. 
Hummel Class, org., 65. 

INDIAN MASSACRE IN MINN., 
' .^^8. 
Indiana, work e.st. in, 163; First 

church, 164. 
Illinois, work est. in., 157; First 

<5aiuroh, 161; Camp- meeting, 

the first, 1€1. 
Iowa, work est. in, 335. 

lAPAN MISS., est. of, 481; first 
,., fruits of, 483, 434; Native min- 
isters, 434, 440-446, 578. 
Jonestown Class, est., 46. 

KANSAS MISSION, 320; first 

*^ church, 330. 

Kimmel, Geo., schism of, 242. 
Kleinfelter fam., hist, of, 113. 
Kocherthal, Rev. Josiah, colony 
of, 11. 



H 



LANDMARKS, quoted, 234. 

Language Question, the, 174, 

177, 241, 259-340. 
Lafayette Seminary, est. of, 199. 
Lebanon, 44, 103. 
Lehn Class, 50. 
Lehigh, 96. 
Lewisburg, 79. 
Living Epistle, the, 378. 

METHODIST, conf., the newly 

^^^ formed, 219. 

Maryland, work est. in, 115, 121, 

Mennonites, the, 10. 

Minnesota, work est. in. 316, 319. 

Michigan, 255. 

Miller fam., 32 

Millheim Class, 85. 

Missionary Society, hist. of. 200, 

Missionary, woman's, 202; For- 
eign, 294. 

Missionary Messenger, est., 203. 

Ministry, character of, 179; Hard- 
ships of, 181; Prayer for, 183. 

Moravians, the, 13. 

Morrison's Cove Class, 125. 

Mount Rock Class, 120. 

Muhlenberg, Rev. H. M., 14. 

TVJEWCOMMER, BISHOP C, 15. 
New Berlin,work est. in,67,68. 
New York, 108; first church, 110. 
Normal Course of Study, 459. 

OATH Bound Societies Con- 
^ demned, 284. 
Orphan Home, est., 204, 
Or wig fam., hist, of, 34, 81. 
Orwigsburg Revival, the, 89, 92; 
Bishop Seybert's testimony,92. 
Ohio, work est. in, 137. 

PASTORAL Limit Extended, 

* 377. 

Parsonages, 184, 233. 

Pacific Coast, work on, 485. 

Palatines, the, 10. 

Pentecostal Meeting, first, 21. 

Pennsylvania Germans, the, 9, 13. 

Periodicals, hist of, 211. 

Pines, the work at, 118. 

Philadelphia, 103. 

Protracted Meetings, origin of, 

186. 
Plan of Study, 269. 
Plainfleld College, est., 197. 
Phillips fam,, the, 74, 108, 
Probation System Abolished, 377. 

QUARTERLY MEETINGS, est., 
185. 

DAIDABAUGH FAM., convert- 

*^ ed, 53. 

Rank. Hon. John, biog. of, 83. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



645 



Reading, 104. 
Ream, Mich., 85. 

C ALARY, lowest, 229; full, 266; 

regulated, 285. 
Sanctification controversy settled, 

360. 
Saylor family, the, 94. 
Schlatter, Rev. Mich., 14. 
Schwenkfelders, the, 13, 97. 
Sohaefferstown, Albright visits,35. 
Schuylkill Seminary, 198. 
Social Conference, the, 225. 
Sunday Sehools, est., 207, 248. 
Sunday Sschool Periodicals, 207. 
Sunday School and Tract Union, 
Superanuated Preachers, Fund 

for, 334-243. 

TEXAS, vfork founded, 428. 
Thomas fam.j hist., 49-58. 



n NION SEMINARY, est., 194. 
Union With Other Churches 
Proposed, 169, 255. 
Union Biblical Institute, 198. 
United Brethren in Christ, 17. 



V 



ARNBR APPT., 127. 
Virginia, work est. in, 135. 



\YASinNGTON, work est. in, 

465. 
Walter fam,, hist., 46-63. 
Wagoner, Obvisto^-her, revival at, 

91. 
Wesco, Philip, appt., 31. 
Wisconsin, work est. in, 161. 
Woman's Miss. Soc, 446. 
Woman's Crusade, the, 392. 
W'hite Deer, 82. 

7IMMERMAN FAM., the, 31. 
^ Zinzendorf, Count von, 13. 



ABLETT, J. H., 454. 
^ Acker, J. D., 459. 
Ackerman, W., 404. 
Adams, J., 279; di., 435. 
Ade, C, 350. 
Alber, J., 451. 
Alberding, T., 371. 
Alles. P., 298— P. E., 385— B., 467. 
Albright, Jacob, (founder), 512; 

conversion of, 18; ordination, 

22— B. D., 356. 
Altimos, Solomon, 244, 255, 262. 
Althouse, Henry, 301, 308— W. A., 

433. 
Allen, "j. N., 356— G. K., 580. 
Alsbach, Mich., 309, 469— H., di., 

321— W., 335. 
Alshouse, G. M., 466. 
Alstadt. G., 426. 
Ash, J. P., 470. 
Albert, S. S. 350. 
Anstein, Geo., 242. 
Anderson, D. W., 452— S. B., 470. 
Anthes, J. C, 297— Jacob, 390— J., 

354. 
Apgar, J. A., 322. 
Anthony, C. W., 350. 403— B. F., 

393, 465. 
Arnt, F., 452. 
Arlen, H., 416. 
Arnold, O., 441. 
Artman, D. A., 577. 
Armstrong, H., 435. 
Archer, J., 393. 
Arkless, J., 364. 
Arthur, E. B., 353. 
Apel, C, 427. 
Ashenbrenner, J., 408. 
Assman, H., 350— F., 358. 
Atohinson, J., 467— C. L., 369. 



Aueracher, J., 412— P. E., 578. 
Augenstein, Ch., 113, 239— P. E., 

337. 
Aubel,' Oh., 133, 239-374. 
Aurand, Simon, 313— C. V. B., 453. 
Axthelm, Wm., 414. 

RALL, A., 385. 

^ Bach, Theo, 380— P. E., 575. 

Backmeier, F., 395— P. E. 

Barber, James, biog., 537. 

Barth, G., 451. 

Baker, Prof. F. M., 196, 380, 415— 
R., 358— J. D., 467— C. H., 332, 
335. 

Baekman, W., 305. 

Bancroft, G., 578. 

Baily, E. B., 577. 

Basom, H. S., 400. 

Bates, J. H., 370— W., 413. 

Bastian, Jacob, 292. 

Bair, H. H., 329. 

Bartles, A., 368— C, di., 454. 

Bachman, W., 308— J. G., 323. 

Banzhof, J., di., 369. 

Barr, N. A., 410. 

Ballinger. G. W., 441. 

Bartges, O., 393. 

Ballentine, M. J., 406. 

Barshinger, H. B., 465. 

Bahn, P., 416. 

Barnhart, J. J., 331; P. E., 385— 
J., 265— G., 364. 

Baumgardner, Jacob, 227 — Sam- 
uel, biog., 537— S. M., 370— 
Cleophas, 371-417— Daniel, 367— 
G., 354— M. N., 369— A. S., 389 
— F., 393— S. H., 467— L. I., 381. 

Barowaskie, O., 462. 

Bayer, J. K., 265. 



646 



[INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



Bartholemew, D., 318. 
Bauerman, J. H., 470. 
Bauerfeind, J. B., 469. 
Beaumont, W. L.., 453. 
Beauchamp, J. M., 464. 
Bean, S., 365. 
Beck, J., 347— O., 395. 
Bear, J., 356. 

Becker fam., liist., 37, 39— Abra- 
ham, 230— Benj., 231— ^Michael, 
223— F., 574. 
Beatty, Elias, 314. 
Berry, A. W., 406. 
Beery, A. P.,454— W. H.,295— Geo., 

320— B., 355. 
Bell, Jacob, 243. 

Bentz, Prof. J. W., 196,356— F., 468. 
Betz, M., 537— John, 328. 
Berger, Daniel, 245, 429— Henry, 
380— John, 347; to Germany, 
386— F. C, 455. 
Berner, C, 314, 368— F., 333. 
Benker, Paul, 297. 
Berk, J., 336. 

Bechtel, H. L., 468— J., 371— J., 416. 
Behmer, E., 467. 
Belzer, P., 412— L., 468— F., 355. 
Beaver, E. M., 380. 
Berstecher, G., 382, 396. 
Berg, P., 401— C, 451. 
Becher, K, 427. 
Beckman, F., 452. 
Beale, A. J., 460. 
Berkey, F., 454. 
Berberich, W., 438. 
Benfer, H. A., 435. 
Benfield, A., 439. 
Bennington, -S. D., 322. 
Bender, A., 297— Ch., 308. 
Bergner, Peter, 296. 
Bergheimer, Wm., 262. 
Best, Jos., 255— H., 402. 
Bertolette family— Daniel, 29, 229 

— Jacob, 415. 
Bertch, J. S., 303. 
Benner, C, 450. 
Beleu, J., 452. 
Berreth, A., 439. 
Behney, H. W., 577. 
Behner, Geo., 275. 
Bell, Jacob, 243. 
Black, D., 417— W. L., 384. 
Blizzard, M. E., 413. 
Bloom, N. W., 425. 
Bird, A. J., 425. 
Binder, W., 413, 451. 
Birk, W., 411. 

Bittner, P., 401— H., 428— J. M.,4gl. 
Bierly, W. C, 574. 
Bixler, Jacob, 229— Benj., 230— J. 

G., 395— D. W., 405. 
Biddlebach, P. W., 401. 
Bissy, Charles, 25— Henry, 297, 305. 
Bicker, H. H., 303. 



Birk, Jos., 359. 

Blanchard, W., 427. 

Blank, Geo. Adam, 538— P., 455. 

Bliem, C, 380. 

Blasser, G., 349-^S., 324. 

Bower, A, 297— iMoses, 252— A. W., 

380— H., 380— Isaiah. 393. 
Boiler, C. F., 367— ,F., 323. 
Bowles, J. T., 367. 
Bott, P., 372. 
Bock, A. L., 463. 
Bolender, E., 386. 
Boas, Jacob, 537. 
Bolton, John, 280. 
Bossier, G., 357. 
Bohner, B. F., 335. 
Bockenmuehl, E., 332, 414. 
Born, H., 275. 

BoraufC, Fred., 140, 220, 246— J.,360. 

Boyer, David, 51— D. S., 304— K., 

328— M., 347— L. M., 353; P. E. 

425. 

Bowersox family, 64— Josiah, 339; 

P. E., 409— Reuben, 373, 424. 
Boeshore, B., 226. 
Bone, F., 373, 385. 
Bonta, E. B., 383. 
Bornheimer, A, 381, 461. 
Boetzel, A, 316. 
Bowlin, A. M., 385. 
Bogen, A., 451. 
Bollinger, E. S., 460. 

Boughter, J. G., 577. 

Boozer, J. H., 577. 
Bowman, Thomas, 322; P. E., 373; 
ibishop, 398— James, 384— H. J., 
336, 365— J. L.., 364— Dr. J. C, 
467. 

Bockmeyer, F., P. E., 437. 

Beckenhauer, C, 412. 

Bolander, C, 449. 

Bretch, Philip, 291. 

Braim, €. S., 359, 365. 

Brader, J. M., 380, 580. 

Brackley, W., 371. 

Brant, R., 464— C, 393, 411. 

Brandstatter, G., 432. 

Brauchele, A., 412. 

Brey, C, 417! 

Brauer, H., 355; P. E., 391— F., 382. 

Brenneman, H. H. , 424— H., 401. 

Brenner, C, 418. 

Breyfogel, Seneca, 335, 453— Chas. 
S., 384; P. E., 459. 

Brendle, J. C, 366; P. E., 442. 

Brekow, F., 374. 

Britcher, J. E., 424. 

Britton, E., 385. 

Breohtel, H., 382. 

Braim, V., 403. 

Brightmeyer, W. H., 442. 

Britzins, G., 395. 

Brill, 329; P. E.. 395, 427. 

Bishop, J., 289-295. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



647 



BriUliart, W. E., 577. 

Bressler, Wm., 289. 

Brlckley family, the, 81 — Gr^orge, 
81, 237; P. E., 255— Daniel, 81, 
242, 454— John, 81, 262, 408— F. 
M., 440— A. W., 449. 

Breitenstein family, the, 42— 
John, 538. 

Broadbeck, Henry, 308, 331, 317. 

Brookhart, P., 575. 

Breiner, Geo., 369. 

Brown, L. D., 277— S., 335— C, 347 
— G., 349— J., 349— G. W., 357— 
C, 380— v., 381— J., 395— C, 416 
— L., 375— G. F., 461— H., 412— 
E,. 457. 

Bruckert, J., 396. 

Bruer, Thomas, 221. 

Brockhouse, H., 462. 

Brox, Jos., 437. 

Brumm, L»., 375 — P., 395. 

Brooker, L. S., 452. 

Brownmiller, E. S., 384. 

Brunner, B., 426— A., 433— A. J.. 
453. 

Bryson, J. W., 417. 

Brose, Otto, 436. 

Buntz, S., 453. 

Buehner, Chas., 371. 

Bussy, F., 374; P. E., 581. 

Burkhart, J., 385— C, 350. 

Buchtel, C, 385. 

Budholtz, A., 414. 

Bunse, H., 347; P. E., 427. 

Burkett, Jaeob, 103, 242, 430— J. A., 
389— A. L., 575. 

Burg, P., 387— G. W., 350. . 

Burge, W., 387. 

Buesh, G. F., 331— H., 371— J., 271. 

Buehler, L., P. E., 417. 

Bretz, Solomon, 100— Edmund, 319. 

Buehner, J. P., 577. 

Butterweck, S., 384. 

Buzza, J. N., 449. 

Burlingame, M., 579. 

Burnett, G. F., 576. 

Buende, A., 413— J., 451— J., 468. 

Butz, Solomon, 100— Edmund, 319. 

Burder, J., 368. 

Byers, D. B., 314, biog. 634— James, 
222— J., 354. 

Buck, Thomas, biog., 538— Solo- 
mon T., 327— Henry W., 344; 
P. E., 466— J. W., 407— J., 447. 

Bucks, Henry, 30, 243; P. E., 271— 
C, 354— W. H., 368; P. E., 455. 

Buckwalter family, the, 26 — John, 
221. 

Buchman family, the, 119— Abra- 
ham, 119, 221— S., 327. 

Buecker, H. H., 297. 

Buehler, L., 302; P. E., 350. 

Buzzard, Joseph, P. E., 365— A., 
375. 



nABLE, J., 357. 

Campbell, John, 242— William, 

250— J. D., 392— W. J., 580. 
Carmany, J., 373. 
Canzler, M., 366. 
Carothers, Martin J., 277; biog. 

633— Geo., 393. 
Carroll, L., 461. 
Case, A., 435. 
Caton, W., 382. 
Carpenter, J. A., 403. 
Conrad, W. J., 451— H., 367. 
Condo, M., 347, 372— E., 355-S., 

369. 
Conser, E., 327. 
Coleman, G. J., 440. 
Col well, O. F., 460. 
Coply, A., 441— S., 349; P. E„ 387. 
Copp, F. B., 384. 
Condrea, R. P., 383. 
Coon, W., 407. 
Coburn, S. B., 411. 
Cook, H., 578. 
Cocklin, S., 390— -P., 450. 
Cole, J. P., 391— J. B., 405, 448. 
Oourter, J. E., 389. 
Comstock, C, 366. 
Coverdale, T. L., 404. 
Covert, W. M., 411. 
Cover, Henry, 309. 
Cox, J. B., 277. 
Colmeier, C, 324. 
Coy, S., 406. 
Coup, P. F., 367. 
Clark, Geo., 314. 
Clair, Jacob, 320. 
Clouser, D., 465. 
Clapp, H. M., 424. 
Clemens, D., 449— -H., 375, 383— H. 

S., 430. 
Clewell, T. G., 303- Ed. Er. Mess., 

316, 379; P. B., 435. 
Croman, Wm., 367. 
Crawford, L. W., 396. 
Craly. B., 370. 
Cramer, W. H., 454. 
Crandall, H. W., 340. 
Creasman, James, 317. 
Cramin, J., 339. 

Crowther, S. F., 317— O. L.., 407. 
Crumbling, E., 410— L. E., 440. 
Craul, J. F., 435. 
Chubb, S. S., 327; P. E., 574. 
Curry, J. Q. A., 430. 
Culver, A. J., 368, 451. 
Gulp, J. H., 418. 
Cupp, Geo. W., 267; P. E., 336— A. 

Y. 
Curtis, N. G., 395— C. G., 336. 
Custer, M. L., 392. 
Curies, D., 368. 
Cutler, C, 347. 



648 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



nARBY, ADAM, 280. 

*-^ Banner, Fred, 260, 313— C., 402 

—P., 409. 
Darr, H., 364. 
Damm, J. H., 381. 
Day, U., 456— A. B., 440. 
Davis, Samuel E., 322— C. W., 336 

— W. H., 336— A., 354— T., 366 

— N. T., 390— H. B., 407— W. J., 

424— J. L., 574. 
Dalzell, D. R., 411. 
Dassel, A., 337, 340. 
Derom, J. B., 411. 
Derrick, R. J.. 410. 
DeVeau, M., 440— P., 460. 
Decker, A., 374. 
Dehaven, C, 367. 
Dewitt, E. K., 368, 431. 
Dehoff, John, 115, 222-wMoses, 115, 

222. 
Delongr, A. A., 373. 
Delf elder, F., 330. 
Dereich, Jacob, 367. 
Delling-er, Geo., 252, 415. 
Deppen, Isaac, 244, 366. 
Deininger, C. F., 295; P. E., 373, 

578. 
Deatrick, H. A., 327— J., 371— C, 

375— Elmer, 424— T. 438. 
Detert, W., 407. 
Deisher, Reuben, 274. 
Dewoody, J. M., 575. 
Dewall, J., 468. 

Detwiler, W. E., 339; P. E., 415. 
Dengel, John, 309. 
Descher, W., 418. 
Desgrranges, Peter, 383. 470. 
Dilabar, Aug., 388. 
Dice, Levi, 380. 
Diser, W., 389. 
Dickfuss, J., 402. 
Diete, F., 366. 
Dieder, Emanuel, 285. 
Dissinger, Moses, biog., 539 — I. S., 

415. 
Dill, John, biog., 163— B. F., 382. 
Dick, Joseph, 280, 575— E. F., 411— 

J. M., 424— C. J., 460. 
Dimmer, C, 328. 
Dibble, Jos., 317. 
Diehl, N. H., 355. 
Diebler, Mich., 221— Noah, 306. 
Dienst, G. E., 426; miss, to Japan, 

484. 
Dillow, S. B., 452— W. L., 452. 
Divan, I., 441— J., 454. 
Diesmeyer, C, 413. 
Dickover, Samuel, 279; P. E., 349, 

445. 
Dotterer, F., 276. 
Donmeyer, L. B., 328, 580. 
Doerscher, F., 469. 
Doerlng, C, 456. 
Dorstler, A. H., 453. 



Douty, H. H., 415. 

Domer fam., hist., 133— G. S., 323; 

P. E., 345, 467— Jc^hn D., 336; 

P. E., 425— J. W., 415— J. W., 

406. 
Downey, Henry, 144, 290, 304— J. 

D., 407. 
Doll, Geo., 275. 
Dooly, J., 357. 
Dovenspike, J., 357. 
Drake, F., 372, 408. 
Dreblow, F., 358. 
Dreiblebis, R., 366, 392. 
Dreher, C. D., 434. 
Dressier, Geo., 255, 261, 
Dreisbach family, hist, of, 74-78 — 

John, biog., 525 — ^Abraham, 

278, 407— Jacob, 369, 422— C. H. 

425— A. M., 412. 
Drehmel, J., 372. 
Drinkwater, 381. 
Dubs, Rudolf, 315; P. E., 347; Ed. 

Ch. Botschafter, 362; Bishop, 

398— C. Newton, 438— Ralph S., 

466. 
Dunlap, James, 265; P. E., 289, 

317, 459— J. A., 367— G. W., 385 

—J. F., 575. 
Dumm, John, 367. 
Duebendorf, G., 427. 
Dutill, Howard, 459. 
Dutcher, Dr. A. P., 394. 
Dustman, J., 392. 
Dunkelberger, Samuel H., 373,399. 
Dundore, S. F., 369, 373. 
Duffy, E., 400. 
Duth, H. H., 368. 

CATON, L. B., 436. 
Early, Jacob, 431. 
Eby fam., the, 45— E., 388— A., 401. 
Bbinger, Christian, 162. 
Eberling, J., 393. 
Ebbert, Joseph, 237, 459— J., 453. 
Bberhardt fam., the, 109— Uriah, 

109; P. E., 289— Levi, 109, 263; 

P. E., 329— Prof. J. F., 199— G. 

F., 385.. 
Eckerman, D. C, 390. 
Bckert, John, 271— Geo., 307— J. 

F., 366— D., 467. 
Bckley, W., 323. 
Edgar, John, 267— G. W., 433. 
Eller, M., 344. 
Emde, F., 333. 

Enders, Nich., 112— Oeorge, 234. 
Engel, L., 344— S., 366. 
Enterlein, D. B., 370. 
Eisenhauer, T., 370, 454. 
Eiterman, L. H., 281. 
Edie, J. B., 578. 
Bichenlaub, G., 371. 
Bllert, F., 383— R., 457. 
Ellert, M., 365— H., 390. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



649 



Ellenberger, D., 374— G., 3.>1— F. 

P., 425. 
Elfman, J., 407. 
Elmer, U., 371— W., 414, 459— J., 

454. 
Elrich, J., 455— W. W., 460. 
Elfring, E., 394. 
Eisenberger, John, 125, 229. 
Eis, Michael, 252, 465. 
Einsel, Lewis, 145, 148, 250— E. D., 

382. 
Emmert, L. E., 414. 
Emmel, J., 375. 
Egger, P., 438. 
Egli, A., 407. 
Eigner, B. F., 577. 
Egge. W., 313— C. H., 355. 
Ernst, A., 452. 

Erisman, A. L., 574— S. P., 579. 
Erdman, F. E., 392. 
Erfmeyer, C. F., 412— G. J., 451— 

S., 468. 
Erhart, Chas., 459, 464. 
Erb, John, biog., 539— Joseph, 459. 
Essig, C. F., 575. 
Esslinger, J. G., 451. 
Essenwein, J. B., 459. 
Esch, J., 367— Henry, 2S7— Y., 373. 
Escher, John Jacob, 276; P. E., 

315; Bishop, 343— J. George, P. 

E., 315, 459— Christian, 346. 
Ettinger fam., hist., 115, 116— 

Adam, biog., 540-— Jesse M., 

biog., 540— Benj., 222— P., 432. 
Entorf, S. F., 441; P. E., 581. 
Ewald, D., 394. 
Epply, Benj., 252— J, W., 426. 
Evans, E., 324— A., 401— A., 404— 

E., 404— <W., 411— H. M., 415— 

J. H., 431— M. A., 575. 

PAHNEL, B. J., 467. 

Pager, J. A., 369— J., 441. 
Fans, H., 336— O., 370. 
Farnsworth, J. C, 266, 450. 
Fetter, W. M., 450. 
Felix, G., 367— L. B., 461. 
Fee, T., 456. 
Fehr, C. K., 335; P. E., 385— J. K., 

373— D. E., 373— C. T., 407— W. 

H., 436. 
Feit, B. P., 367. 
Ferner, J. W., 390. 
Fenner, J., 373. 
Fenstermacher, F., 368. 
Finger, C. P., 332; P. E., 417— H., 

357. 
Fink, D. W., 390— J., 402— H. M., 

454. 
Finkbinder, G., 385— C. W., 415- 

e., 461. 
Ficht, William, 279. 
Fidder, G., 575. 
Fichtner, Daniel, 130— J., 425. 



Fisher, Henry, biog., 541 — David, 

541— -Jacob, 290— Joseph, 296; 

P. E., 340— William, 308— G. B., 

327— A., 402—1. B., 409— H. L., 
P. E., 376; di., 432— L. S., 442— A. 

S., 467. 
Finney, G. W., 411. 
Pile, P. S., 406, 415. 
Plickinger, A. E., 464. 
Pleisher, John. 55, 133— D., 29&— 

George, 296— J. H., 336. 
Floto, C. P., 435. 
Plegler, G., 401. 
Fliehr, C. B., 338; P. E., 425; di-, 

459. 
Pluck,' W. R., 459. 
Posselman, M. P., 424. 
Porry, A., 465 — ^Abraham, 255. 
Porkel, W., 468— Valentine, 349. 
Pordman, A. E., 405. 
Pondre, A., 395. 
Pogel, J., 357. 
Poller, W., 358, 368. 
Poltz, P., 336. 
Force, W., 468. 
Foy, Jacob, 230— George, 281, 296— 

J. H., 336. 
Pocht, Daniel, 89, 274— Geo. 327. 
Pox, John, 305; P. E., 376— J. M., 

350— J. B., 430— D. P., 462— D. 

H., 442. 
Fondry, J., 443. 
Pouke, W. H., 402. 
Prase, F., 391. 
Pranks, Geo., 413— P., 450. 
Pranzen, Geo., 297. 
Prankhouser, J., 332; P. E., 419. 
Prankenfield, S., 335. 
Prain, Isaac, 387. 
Freed, H. W., 384— J. K., 459. 
Frederick, 'W., 324— G., 396, 402— 

W. E., 579. 
Frehmel, J., 365. 
Frielmel, C, 346. 
Freeh, P., 272, 460— Geo., 364— P., 

459. 
Friess, Samuel, 246. 
Pricker, Phil., 350; P. E., 434. 
Pruh, John, 115, 222, 381. 
Fritsche, G., 329; P. E., 358— J., 

369. 
Fritz, J., 292— W., 408. 
Prymier, T. L., 574. 
Fry fam., hist., 64— Jacob, 64, 219 

—Jacob, 246, 317— ^Samuel. 245 

—Abraham, 266, 327— Joshua. 

308— John, 331— S., 374— J., 390 

— D., 393— W., 394— A., 395— M. 

C, 441— Noah, 451— Charles, 

574— S. P., 579. 
Fueher, C, 469. 
Fussner, H., 450. 
Pubs, G., 386. 
Funk, H. W.. 358. 



650 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



Fuessele, A., 368; P. E., 451— G., 
422, 472— A. E., 575. 

r^ABLE, C, 336. 

^^ Garrett, W., 297— C. F., 465. 

Garner, J., 381. 

Garrison, Benj., 389. 

Garl, D., 340. 

Gassman, P. A., 432— E., 462. 

Gammertsfelder, S., 390— W., 461. 

Gathers, H. R., 373, 448. 

Gallagher, S., 460. 

Gagstatter, M., 414. 

Gauerke, M., 433. 

Gattle, Chris. B., 263. 

Gaumer, S., 279— E., 369. 

Gates, (Getz) John Adam, 147— 

Peter, 148, 245, 437— G., 411, 466 

—A., 452— H., 468— S. B., 469. 
Geary, P. D., 439. 
Gerhart, Carl, 452. 
Gebhart, J., 321— C. P., 406. 
George, T., 323— N., 389— N. S,, 406 

— Thos. A., 459. 
Gehman, A., 457— L. H., 341. 
Gehler, P. G., 375. 
G^hring-, J., 375. 
Geist, A., 382. 
Gelser, G. H., 385. 
Geringer, G., 467. 
Ge-iss, W., 341. 
Gehr, Nioh., 266— Editor, 211. 
Geisse, P., 336. 
Geltzenlichter, N., 314. 
Geissel, Pred., 310. 
Gingrerich, L., 455— C, 297. 
Gibens, Jos., 307. 
Gilmore, G. W., 380. 
Gillhousen, John, 346. 
Gluntz, G., 464. 

Glasser, Pred., 229— L., 364— E.,384. 
Glaus, C, 268, 404. 
Glantz, P., 357. 
GllGk, H. J., 392. 
Gloeg", P., 358. 
Gladfelter, W. P., 410. 
Gobble, Prof. Aaron E., 196, 415. 
Goebel, N., 297— A., 461. 
Good, A., 468. 
Goodling, E., 3S0— C. H., 424— E. 

O., 449. 
Gohn, G., 389, 577. 
Gongall, J., 391. 
Gomer, Mich., 324. 
Gottwald, A. Z., 296— W. H., 320. 
Goessele, W., P. E., 372. 
Golden, A. L., 575. 
Goetschel, A., 335. 
Gog-stetter, C, 332. 
Gockley, A., 323. 
Graham, Philip, 380— M.. 406— 

Philip, 303, 370— J. W., 367. 
Gruver, P., 574. 
Graep, G., 416. 



Green, C, 386- T., 406— W., 457. 
Graebenstein, M., 433. 
Graeben, J., 456. 
Grenzenbach, J. H., 461— John, 

296, 348. 
Grenninger, H. iN., 373. 
Gressly, P., 418. 
Gramley, C. H., 364— Andrew J., 

380. 
Gray, C. W., 349. 
Graves, Uriah, 323— H., 348, 438. 
Grimm, E., 350— L.., 371, 376— J. A., 

357; P. E., 389. 
Graumer, S., 424. 
Gregg, W. B., 280. 
Grueneisen, J., 340. 
Gross, Jos., 264, 448— Jacob, 276— 

G. W., 392— W., 402— H. W.,E08. 
Greenwald, A. J., 506. 
Gruener, M., 383; P. E., 463. 
Griese, Val., 402. 

Groff, G. M., 357— P., 357— Carl,371. 
Group, Philip, 393. 
Grobe, W., 416. 
Grumbein, H. B., 416-JH., 418. 
Guhl, M., 319, 344, 486. 
Guelich, H., 438, 344; P. E., 386. 
Guinther, J. L.., 415. 

UAMME.R PAM., 92— Charles, 

biog., 544. 
Hamilton, John, 231— T., 429, 575— 

J., 416. 
Hambright, D., 285, 453— W. W., 

366, 439. 
Haman, Chas. S., 308; P. E., 370. 
Hammeter, John, 319; P. E., 347; 

di., 358-JM., 329. 
Hampe, H., 296. 
Hansing, S., 374— C, 396. 
Hanks, J. S., 364. 
Hangen, G. W., 577. 
Hanger, J., 306. 
Hanshaw, John, 267. 
Harper, T., 327. 
Harm, Geo., 327. 
Harris, M. W., 322, 434— Leonard 

K., 370. . 
Harrod, H. H., 368. 
Hallowell, A. S., 349. 
Harter, P., 375. 
Hass, H., 350— A., 386. 
Haller, J. G., 414— J. G., 439— G., 

366. 
Hallwachjs, G., 428. 
Haley, Geo., 268; P. E., 318. 
Hall, B. P., 295— J., 407. 
Harlacher, Jos., biog., 542. 
Hahn, Prof. W. J., 200— Philip, 265 

—P. W., 331— A. P., 408— W. J.. 

353— J. P., 355— A., 449— E., 578. 
Hager, Jonas, 320. 
Haines, G. T., biog., 542— T. L., 

386— O. S., 580. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



651 



Hassler, Henry, 226. 

Haefele. A,, 416. 

Hartman, Martin, 24»— W. H., 406 

—A. M., 424— H. W., 432. 
Hadlock, J. C, 460. 
Hampe, P. A., 407. 
Hardle, C, 426. 
Hard, D. D., 441. 
Haist, F., 394— A. Y., 466. 
Hartungr, C. F., 345. 
Haverfield, I. T., 451. 
Hare, E. P., 393. 
Haberman, P., 402. 
Hayden, S. P., 451. 
Hauser, S., 455— L. M., 450— A. L., 

468. 
Halm'huber, A., 405, 482, 439. 
Hauptfueher, P., 393. 
Haldeman Ch., 272— J., 418— G. B., 

450. 
» Haupt, W., 364. 

Hart, C, 366-.M., 395. 

Hashinger, W. 434. 

Haltzman, J. L., 451. 

Hauert, Matthias, 250, 369. 

Hauch, Thomas, 314— J. T., 458. 

Haug John, 318, 436. 

Hack, E., 366. 

Hartzler, Jacob, 313; Editor Ev. 

Mess., 378; Supt. Japan Miss., 

482; P. E., 574— Henry B., 367— 
Ed. Ev. Mess., 422— A., 350, 417— 

■W. H., 577. 
Hesser, Chas., biog., 543. 
Hess, Benj., 272— T., 3&0— Isaac, 

285—^. E., 372. 
Hecka thorn G. C, 368— A., 383. 
Heil, Mich., 332, 575— N., 366— W. 

F., 424; P. E., 580. 
Heilman, G., 437— A., 324. 
Heininger, Samuel, 372 — Daniel, 

320. 
Heiser, W., 383. 
Heineck, C, 391. 
Heinmiller, G., 391— L., 431— J., 4, 

32. 
Heinrich, G. F., 368— C, 417. 
Heine, H., 357. 
Heisler, J. S., 577—1., 430. 
Heidner, W. F., 371. 
Heim, C, 347— W., 415. 
Heibenthal, H., 402. 
Heidefi, C, 810. 

Hellscher, G. W., 408; P. E., 463. 
Heiss fam., the — 'Samuel, Henry, 

Levi, Jacob, Peter, 107, 380. 
Hehr, F., 336— F., 364. 
Hensel, H., 376, 349— J. R., 399— J., 

401. 
Herrold, S., 380. 
Hendricks, J., 384. 
Henaeman, W., 394. 
Hetriok, L. H., 373. 
Herr, B. vS., 370— Conrad, 287. 



Hemkens, G., 451. 

Helsel, C, 367. 

Held, E., 416— P., 315. 

Herb, D., 366, 407. 

Hertle, Geo, biog., 388, 324. 

Hengst, Benj. F., 280; P. E., 313. 

Henn, Jacob, 313; P. E., 387. 

Hennig fam., the, 84— Adam, 221, 

544. 
Herman, L., 314— J., 418, 437— John, 

440. 
Herlan, Frantz, 291; P. E., 344. 
Hershberger, T>. J., 415. 
Hetner, John A., 380. 
Henkey, Lewis, 27— L. W., 374. 
Hershey, John, 107, 261— U. H., 373, 

577. 
Hertz, John, 400. 
Hettler, G. A., 401. 
Herwig, J., 368. 
Herring, G., 358, 412. 
Hershner, J. L., 419. 
Henni, Stephen, 328. 
Heffner, C. W., 577. 
Himmel, Jacob, 307; P. E., 374, 

434— J., 431, 675. 
Himmelreich, John, 238. 
Hinkel, Geo., 301— Adam, 308, 425 

— G., 364. 
High, J. J., 384. 
Hippensteel, Henry, 364. 
Hippert, S. 349. 
Hildebrand, Martin A., 413. 
Hines, P. H., 462. 
Hirst, A. v., 405. 
Hintze, Henry, 318; P. B., 3»0. 
Hohnsted. W.. 382— W. H., 358— 

D., 403. 
Hooh, I., 366. 
Hou^h, J. M.; P. E., 390. 
Houst, H., 454. 
Hofsomer, A., 373. 
Holtzman, H., 438— Geo., 314. 
Holdridge, H., 337. 
Holswarth, A., 331; P. E., 440— A. 

A., 456; P. E., 461— A., 461— F. 

S., 466. 
Hollinger, J., 331, 379. 
Hollyman, H., 338. 
Hoffert, Isaac, 253, 405. 
Honecker, Jacob, 275— John, 281. 
Horn, W., 337— E. S. S. Lit., 382; 

Ch, Bot., 447— Henry, 385. 
Hornberger, Zadh., 303— J. C, 347; 

P. E., 424; Ed. Eng. S. S. Lit., 

471. 
Holtzappel, G., 448. 
Hoehn, M., 296; P. E., 340. 
Hook, Jacob, 236. 
Holl, Oh., 249, 394— John, 256. 
Houtz, W. H., 356— J., 403. 
Hoffman, Francis, biog.,- 55^ 154— 

Prof. F. C, 196, 327- Elislia A., 

364— John, 321— Geo., 393— P., 



r u 



652 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



Hoy faim., the, 72, 78, 143— Samuel, 
143; P. E., 374— John, 143— J., 
401. 

Hoover, J. W., 39^— S., 408, 4J56— 
J. W., 415— D. E., 442. 

Hosli, H., 394. 

Hosbach, J., 45©. 

Hochstettler, E., 369. 

Houffhtley, J., 382. 

Homuth, F., 391. 

Hollenbach, J., 388— J. A., 406— R., 
453. 

Husser, G., 427. 

Hurd, H. H., 454. 

Humbert, J. M., 455. 

Huebner, S. K., 574— H., 426. 

Hunsberger, J., 352. 

Huelscher, J., 365. 

Hunter, Robt. C, 238— Geo., 286. 

Huelster, August, 309; P. E., 443— 
Henry, 314; P. E., 341— Fred, 
324— Wm., 346; P. E., 451— 
Anton, 350— E. W., 468. 

Hurtze, H., 333. 

Hummel, Christian, 252 — Joseph 
254— A., 410— E. P., 425— J. V., 
450. 

Hummelsheim, Levi, 272. 

Huth, Abr., 221. 

Hummelbach, H., 373. 

Hyde, J. S., 297, 353. 

IDLBMAN, CHRISTIAN, 296, 

* 302. 

Illian, F., 394— K., 408. 
Irvine, Armstrong H., 327 — John 

A., 374. 
Imboden, G. W., 573. 
Ingram, J., 349. 
Ingel, W. H., 364. 
Immel, C, 368. 
Inhelder, M., 402; P. E., 463. 
Ilgin, P., 468. 
Isker, H., 456. 
Isch, J., 390. 



fACOBS, JOHN A., 246— Prof. 
^ Otis L., 440. 

Jacoby, L., 279; P. E., 367, 429. 
Jackson, G., 373— H. M., 470. 
James, J., 393— E.. 410. 
Jameson, Alex., 218— M. J., 453. 
Jarrett, P. F., 384. 
Jauch, J., 349. 
Jenny, J., 298. 
Jenkins, 'W. S., 578. 
Johnson, D. B., 370— J. M., 408— J. 

H., 432— Geo., 451— W. J., 453. 
Jones, W. H., 386— L. A., 463. 
Jonas, Wm., 391. 
Joseph, Geo., 400. 
Just, J. P.; P. E., 412. 



KAAG, GEO., 272. 309. 
*^ Kable, C, 268. 
Kanaga, Josiah, 278— tJ. B., 425. 
Kantner, W. C. 4«4. 
Kahl, J., 354— D. T., 451. 
Kaltreiter, Fred, 223. 
Karcher, J., 350. 
Kauff man, John, 255— Conrad, 268, 

John, 297; P. E., 432— G., 354— 

A., 366— W.; P. E., 383. 
Kessler, Elmer,, 574. 
Kearstetter, John, 253, 417. 
Keagel, Henry, 246, 301— J. H.,462. 
Kechele, Jacob, biog., 634. 
Keil, Simon, 263, 265. 
Keiper, Jacob, 291, 297. 
Kachel, C. F., 456. 
Keene, E. D., 430. 
Kempfer, H., 319, 415. 
Kehr fam., the, 65— Daniel. 23S, 

380— Jacob, 246, 331— D. W.,462. « 
Kembel, D. Z., 344. 
Kemerling, Jacob, 262— L., 375—1. 

W., 42^. 
Kemmerer, A., 366— W.. 371— W., 

375. 
Kearney, G. A., 416. 
Kern, Daniel. 256— C, 3S6— S., 418 

—J., 357— J. B., 384. 
Kelly, Levi, 280. 
Kepner, Daniel, 327— J. A.. 415. 
Keller, Benj., 302, 461-.H., 340— J., 

357— B. F., 393— G., 410— G., 427. 
Keeler, J. H.. 372; P. E., 436. 
Keiser, J., 425. 
Ketterman. J., 419. 
Kiehnholtz, J., 365. 
Kinley, H., 418. 
Kiplinger, Elias. 318; P. B., 383— 

J., 337— J., 375— L., 883. 
Kiek'hofer, H., 394— G. P., 438. 
Killheffer, C. M., 411. 
Kinsey, L. A., 575. 
Kiest, C. F., 462. 
Kindt, A., 356. 
Kitchen, W., 374. 
King, J. M., 367— J., 370— W.. 375. 
Kirkpatrick, N. J.. 455. 
Kissel. J. G., 290. 
Klaiber, C. 451— M. 321. 
Klatt, H., 402. 
Kline. D. P., 389— A., 3^17— A. S., 

439. 
Kliphart, J. J., 394; P. E., 449. 
Klopfer. Geo., 263— O., 468. 
Kletzinger Henry, 289, 575. 
Kletzing, H. F., 407. 
Kleinfelter fam.. the, 113— John, 

546— Jacob, 546— Adam. 546— 

Jacob (second). 237— Emanuel, 
313— William H., 365. 
Kle-inknecht, J. G., 329. 
Kleinsorg. Henry, 323. 
Klaholtz, C, 450 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER, 



fi;>3 



Klump, P., 401-%!., 454. 
Knebel, A., P. E., 443. 
Knechtel, S., 449— J., 365. 
Knoll, C. 406— M., 372— H., 442-C., 

442. 
Knoche, Geo,, 452— J., 365. 
Knable, A., 355. 
Knoble, A., 368— <J. C, 374. 
Knaublock, W., 369. 
Knetterlingr, O,, 358. 
Knecht, T., 579. 
Knopf, P., 413. 
Knerr, Geo., 289— J. K., 331—1. E., 

331; P. E., 400, 465— G. A., 459. 
Kneisley, C, 339. 
Koehl, John, 276— H., 358. 
Kohr, Emanuel, biog, 547. 
Kohler, W. A., 428— P., 467. 
Kohlmeyer, Oonrad, 318. 
Kostenbader, D. T., 465. 
Kolmer, J., 396. 
Koch, Charles, 280; Ed. Ch. Bot., 

312— Charles, 371— C, 390— C. 

R., 436— L. S., 439— G., 442. 
Koehn, J., 387. 

Koenig, W., 349— :W., 369— W., 450. 
Kortenmeyer, S., 366. 
Koepsel, H., 372. 
Kolander, W., 394. 
Kopp. J. J., biog., 141— Christ., 265, 

432 g, 331, 

Kolb, Wiiiiam*, 272, 463— C. H., 371 

—Geo., 372— Wm., 459— J. K., 

408— L., 347— J. L., 578. 
Koester, H., 303. 
Kooker, D. H., 358; P. E., 391. 
Koontz, E. W., 424— 'S. E., 583. 
Kreamer, John, 255— Daniel, 277— 

John, 280, 465— Henry, 318— A. 

W., 356— W., 581— Ohas., 451— 

H. A., 468. 
Kraus, Abraham, 286— Elias B., 

318; P. E., 450— J. C, 424— S. P., 

451. 
Krecker, Prederick, 254; P. E., 305, 

577— Dr. Prederick, jr., biogr., 

545— Augustus, 392. 
Krall, Samuel, 254. 
Kraushar, P., 441. 
Kraft, S., 426- J., 454. 
Kreh, D., 406. 
Krell, S., 418. 
Krinff family, the, 126— Conrad, 

230, 545— S. B., 545. 
Kresge, T. S., 469. 
Krupp, B. C, 453— S., 317; P. E., 

371. 
Kruger, P., 438— M., 315; P. E.,396. 
Kreidler, H. D., 579. 
Kronmiller, J. M., 305. 
Kuehn, A., 413— E., 441. 
Kunselman, W., 373. 
Kunkle, L., 371. 
Kunst, C, 394. 



Kuhns, H. W., 384. 
Ktiter, Israel, 304; P. K., 265. 
Kutz, Jos., 319. 
Kuhnholtz, J., 365. 
Kuenzeli, J., 349— P., 349. 
Kuegel, J.. 345. 

Kurtz, John, 309, 324, 430— Fred., 
339— G., 451. 

T ANTZ, GEO., 27, 288. 

*- Lashall, H., 374. 

Landis, G. H., 351. 

L»aden, Jesse, 393. 

Lance, J. P., 443. 

Landwehr, P. W., 468. 

Lang, C. S., 468. 

Langrenstein, G., 365. 

Lanzhof, J., 329. 

Lamb, J. H., 431. 

Larmon, W. S., 575. 

Lageschulte, Henry, 304; P. E.,347. 

Laros, J., 348. 

Lautenslager, T., 371. 

Lauer, Martin, 271; P. E., 374 — 

Publisher, 447. 
Launer, P., 356, 450. 
Lawrence, J., 349, 418. 
La van, D. K., 385; P. E., 449. 
Lauver, Jacob, 410. 
Laux, P., 457. 

Laury, Geo. H., 384— S., 348. 
Lerch Jesse, 348— S., 345. 
Leaf, G., 349. 
Leopold, A., 34«, 580— W. A., 366— 

S. T., 392. 
Lehn, Mich., 255; P. B., 267, 345. 
Lehew, J., 372. 
Leland, T., 455. 
Lehman, R., 431. 
Leuther, P., 350. 
Leslie, L. E., 384. 
Leply, D. S., 400. 
Leonard, E. P., 410— C. W., 453— 

R. T., 574. 
Leuder, H., 432. 
Lewis, H., 469. 
Leichman, R,, 443. 
Leiphart, H., 412— J. C. 435. 
Leib, John P., bdog., 547. 
Lentz, John, 244— David, 335— W., 

376. I j . 

Leas, Isaac, 295— Prof. J. H., 331. 

349. 
Lechler, Wm., 318. 
Lehr, P. P., 303— J. O., 305; P. E.. 

400. 
Lelbenderfer, J., 364. 
Lioht, D., 3S2— S., 366. 
Lilly, W. H., 400. 
Litt, J. G., 46L 
Llening, G., 469. 
Lister, J. D., 466. 
Lively, I., 435. 
Lindsey, J. W., 400. 



651 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



liight, A., 366— D. A,, 410— David, 

103. 
JJintner, Christian, 242, 309— J. J., 

402— H., 418. 
Linder, L. H., 328. 
Linge, C, 372. 
Lihs, G., 358. 

Linse, H. E., 329; P. E., 402. 
Liesser, Abraham, 218. 
liibke H. 323. 

Lingelbach, W., 365— J., 367, 389. 
Liohtenwalner, R. M., 335. 
L.itzenberger, R., 322 
Liinderman, Chas., 277; P. E., 306. 
Dink, Conrad, 272, 295— A. L., 371. 
L/oehner, Abraham, 146, 255. 
Long-, Joseph, biog-., 533 — Daniel, 

246; P. E., 3&2— Abraham, 304 
— Obed., 368— F., 375. 
Dongbrake, Henry, 255, 321— 

Henry, Jr., 323. 
Longsdorf, Alex., biog., 388— J. M., 

380. 
Loos, Oh., 279— W., 351— J. W., 375 

— E., 401. 
Looke, F. S., 442. 
Lowe, J. S., 410— R., 43L 
Lowman, J., 406. 
Loy, J. U., 374. 
Loop, J. N., 386. 
Loney, H. H., 412. 
Dohr, C, 324— J. J., 400. 
Longer, J. E., 295. 
Lo-ewen, H., 443. 
I^ehle, F., 383. 
Ix)hmeyer, F., 328. 
Luttman, W., 375— F. B., 366. 
Lusler, J., 370. 
Lueder, W., 369. 
Luering, L., 409^8., 464. 
Luedicke, F., 386. 
Lusher, A., 348. 
Lutz, John, 244— J. K., 366— A., 457 

H., 457. 
Luttenberger, J., 354. 
Lyons, H. B., 396— T. C, 450. 



MACE, G. L., 465. 

^ Manthei, J., 372. 

Manning, D. ,S., 453. 

Mankamire, C, 411. 

Manbeck, J., 344, 384. 

Manweiler, Daniel, 231, 241. 

Manwell, C, 391. 

Mattinger, Geo., 334, 386. 

Matill, H., 358; P. E., 395— A., 453. 

Matzolf, J., 357, 367. 

Matheis, C. F., 366. 

Matthias, L., 380. 

Maize fam., the, 66— Michael, Sr., 

262— Michael, Jr., 244— M. T., 

575. 



Miesse, Daniel, 244— Henry, 252— 
S. K., 323, 442— J., 370—8., 448. 

Matter, T. R., 387. 

Marlin, J. W., 297. 

Marquard, John Geo., 271— G. A., 
574. 

Marshall, J. J., 455. 

Marks, E., 469. 

Martin, E. C, 393. 

Mayer, John, 260— Fred., 265— J., 
355— J. A., 359. 

Markley, A., 373. 

Major, H. C, 303, 459— S. N., 365. 

Mason, J., 401. 

May, Lewis, 295, 352. 

Massuger, P., 319; P. E., 375. 

Maurer, M., 354— J., 369. 

Malseed, J. D., 465. 

Maxwell, A. W., 384. 

Manshard^ M., 439. 

Meade, A. T., 384. 

Medler, D. A., 380; P. E., 577— W. 
H., 439. 

Mertz, David, 255, 588— A., 468— D., 
428. 

Mauger, E. B, 448. 

Mentz, Wim., 384. 

Merle, H., 456— W., 456-J., 452. 

Meckel, T. C, 455. 

Mercer, J. S., 400. 

Messenger, J. W., 415. 

Messersmith, W., 429. 

Metzger, J. N., 348— Prof. D. M., 
466. 

Metzler, M. S., 468. 

Men, E., 358; P. E., 408— A. M., 
576. 

Meek, John, 328; P. E., 372. 

Messner, Geo., 281— Henry, 328; P. 
E., 427. 

Merk, Geo., 391. 

Meier, H., 357-.M. E., 374, 406— W., 
383— J. E., 417-^E., 456. 

Meyer, Henry, 129— John, 150— B. 
F., 452— Melchoir, 310— A. J., 
367— F. F., 367— H. E., 461— 
Christian, 388-^., 411 

Methfessel.'P., 336. 

Middlekauff fam., 121— Daniel, 121, 
228. 

Michael, A., 296— J. W., 468. 

Milliron, S., 373— S. A., 389— fam., 
126. 

Minsker, W., 373— H.. 574. 

Mintz, William, 244; P. E., 267. 384. 

Miller, fam., hist., 32— George, 
biog., 522— Solomon, 33— Solo- 
mon G., 33— John W., 230, 245 
— George "the printer," 209 — 
Mich., 242— Fred., 246— John 
R., 250— Jacob, 252— Robert,253, 
— JacOb, 260— P. H., 27&— John 
Geo., 268— Ch., 277— Isiah, 281— 
Philip, 291— David "W., SOS— 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



655 



John, 304— Elias 305— B. L., 306— 
C, 341— P., 355— J., 355— L., 335 
— B, H., 366— E. J., 373— W., 
384— J., 387— E., 391— W. W., 
332— S. A., 402^1. D., 406— D., 
426— C. H., 430— A. C, 435— R. 
n., 443— J. P., 448— J. L., 453— 
M,. 455— B., 456— (S., 464. 

Mueller, L. 358— F., 443— R., 462— 
C. A., 402— C, 432— A. H. 577. 

Molin, M., 394. 

Mohr, J., 393— G. W.. 405— C. D., 
460. 

Meyer, J., 384—1., 41 . \ H., 456— 
J. W., 314. 

MG\'1ns, E. F., 402. 

Mowitz, C, 380. 

Morelock, J. C, 411. 

Morgenthaler, J. C, 440, 577. 

Morris, T. M., 339— W. W., 574. 

Mohny, A. A., 578. 

Monismith, T., 336, 437. 

Moser, F., 350— H., 457. 

Moede, J., 382, 467. 

Moody, W., 367. 

Mosher, A. E., 438. 

Mounts, S. M., 440. 

Morrison, D., 389. 

Mott, Robert, 331. 

Morse, L. C, 328. 

Moose, D., 336. 

Mosser, Sebastian, 246. 

Morely, S., 314. 

Mull, J. L., 454. 

Mullen, G. W., 442. 

Munderf, J., 450. 

Mummey, S. S., 574. 

Murry, R., 357— Thomas, 416, 441. 

Mundt, F. A., 457. 

Munk, W. H., 454— C. A., 275. 

Mumm, P., 443. 

Muck fam., hist., 61— Samuel, 226. 

Musselman, Elias, 307; P. E., 345. 
— S. O., 393. 

Mygrant, M. H., 436. 

McCamey, J., 406. 

McCauley, J., 374— A. N., 435— C. 
P., 454. 

McCachron, J. F., 400. 

McAlMster, J., 460. 

McBride, Henry, 245--S. A., 425. 

McCray, Robert, 221. 

McCracken, G. W., 463. 

McCartney, R., 256. 

McCurdy, S. O., 430. 

MoCloud, J. W., 468. 

McElroy, G., 579. 

McLehn, Simon, 267— Noah, 285, 
371. 

McKesson, J., 289, 304. 

McNealy, G., 442. 

McNutt, J. S., 415. 

McMiller, W. F., 407. 

Mclntyre, J. M., 327. 



McGaw, J. M., 327 
McQuilling-, J., 268— J., 387, 465. 

IMAILOR, GEO., 126, 308. 

^^ Nauman, L., 307, 314, 339— C., 
416. 

Naninga, J., 443. 

Negly, C, 355; P. E., 425— A., 402 

Neufer, J., 464. 

Neff, H., 461. 

Neuendorf, C. W., 441. 

Nehs, F., 394. 

Newinger, H., 389. 

Newhart, 'S., 380. 

Neiman, W., 372. 

Neitz, Solomon, feiog., 548— H. A., 
356— William, 368— F., 468. 

Ney, J. W., 456. 

Neitzel, L., 436. 

Nitsche, E., 431. 

Nierends, A., 324; killed, 338. 

Nickle, F., 375, 383— J., 433. 

Nicholas, G., 364— W. M., 380. 

Nicolai, John, 263— A., 268; P. E., 
347— G. W., 462. 

Niebel, Henry, biog., 549— Abra- 
ham, biog., 549— B. H., 431; P. 
E., 578— N. B., 456. 

Norman, F. S., 460. 

Nott, Geo., 314-nNorton A., 455. 

Noecker, John, 245. 

Nuss, M., 407. 

Nussbueckel, F., 406. 

Nuhn, J., 350. 

Nunamaker, J., 407. 

Numson, William, 105. 

QAKS, D. S., 337; P. E., 450. 

^ Obergfeld, M., 402. 

Oertle, C, 386; P. E., 469— A., 452. 

Oehrle, H., 352. 

Oberholtzer, I., 313, 392—1., 319— 

J. R., 430. 
Oetzel, Wm., 302, 314. 
Ohs, H., 402. 
Osteroth, A., 467. 
Orth, J., 354-^W. D., 373— P. A., 

442. 
Ortwein, J., 449. 
Opplinger, J. M., 380, 439. 
Oswald, C. L., 574. 
Over, E. L., 394, 459. 
Overholt, A. H., 344, 453. 
Overmeyer, H., 371. 
Orwig fam., hist., 34, 81— Williia-m 

W., biog., 535— Aaron W., 374 

— S. P., 367, 580. 

DARKS, L., 412. 

' Parker, A., 347— F. W., 576. 

Paeth, C. A., 416. 

Palmer, C. M., 437. 

Painter, J., 373— J. L,., 579. 

Pan ton. A., 466. 



656 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL BEQISTER. 



Pandel. F. C, 335, 38a. 
Passmore, Fred., 400. 
Paul, Jac, 129— Henry, 275— D. J., 
Jaul, Jac, 129— Henry, 275— D. J., 

306. 
Paulin, Joshua, 318. 
Patterson, R. M. 581-^S. W., 581. 
Peters, John, 226— Jacob, 227, 231— 

D. G., 389— J. H., 393. 
Pershing, C, 402. 
Pettit, S. A., 374. 
Peluege, R., 468. 
Peipenburg, A., 369, 438. 
Peer, E., 306— R. B., 467. 
Pefferkorn, W., 346. 
Peek, F. M., 464. 
Pfeifle, C, 380. 
Pfeffer, C, 365. 
Pfeifer, J. G., 297; P. E., 365, 575— 

L.. 425. 
Pfitzinger, M., 317— P. E., 365. 
Pfeil, Conrad, 304. 
Pflaum, J., 383. 
Pfund, C. C, 368. 
Piper, L., 403— W., 451— H., 468. 
Pippert, J. H., 372. 
Pinkerton, W., 414. 
Pines, Isaiah M., 335; P. E., 466. 
Pickford, Chas., 575. 
Pierce, J. L., 443— C. M., 467. 
Philipbar, C, 417. 
Phillips fam., the, 74, 108— G. W., 

357. 
Plocher, A., 382. 
Plantikow, F. R., 414. 
Plattenberger, T., 305, 450. 
Piatt, R. v., 303— A., 370. 
Platz, Geo., 272, 359— iM. C, 457— 

J., 357— Noah, 392, D. F., 425— 
P. W., 357. 

Plannett, William, 275. 
Porch, Jos, 385. 
Pope, H., 454. 
Port, P., 358. 
Pontius fam., the, 149— Peter, 149, 

287, 304— Joseph K., 149— D. J., 

359. 
Poorman, David, 244— John, 246. 
Poling, W. B., 297— Daniel, 314; P. 

E., 425— C. C, 425; P. E., 576^ 

D. v., 581. 
Powell, S., 413. 
Pratt, H., 464. 
Provost, G., 395. 
Price. H. R., 301— J. M., 356— C, 

393— H., 424— J., 457. 
Priebe, C, 402. 
Punzel, C, 457. 
Prichard, J., 468. 

DABUS, J., 366, 369. 

Rank fam., hist., Jacob, 252; 
P. E., 304— J. A., 891. 
Rankle, R., 366. 



Raidabaugh fam., hist., 53— Peter 

W., 367; P. E., 440; Ed. Eng. 

S. S. lit., 447. 
Rash, A., 358. 
Rail, Otto, 372. 
Ramage George, 255— N. 463. 
Raus, J., 266. 
Raney, R., 436. 
Raeker, H., 426. 
Radensky, O., 413. 
Ray, William, 237— J. A., 576. 
Rassweiler, Prof. H. H., 402. 198. 
Ragatz, H., 287— Oswald, 304. 
Raudenbush, Benj., 296, 297. 
Raskopf, C, 324. 
Reitmeyer, W. F., 384. 
Reeser, William, 272— Adam L. 

308; P. E., 381— J. C, 406— J., 
443. 
Rea, H. K., 339. 
Rex, A., 339. 
Reen, C. C, 393. 
Reep, S., 355. 
Reichard, J. W., 357—1. N., 364— 

L. S., 574— C, 402— G., 427. 
Reib, L., 383.— 
R0itz, I. J., 388. 
Reed, I. Y., 336— R., 400. 
Reber, W. L., 266, 338,429— A. O., 

414— Reuben J., 371. 
Remer S. P., 364— J., 392. 
Reimke, W., 375. 
Reinders, P., 402. 
Renninger, W. A., 389. 
Redman, G., 461. 

Rearick, Adam, 327. 574— W., 239. 
Reinoehl, S. P., 303, 415. 
Reisner, J. Conrad, 230, 410. 
Reinhold, C. M., 304; P. E., 346— 

G., 430. 
Reigel, Jacob, 109, 245, 303— John, 

140, 245— Reuben, 281— C, 390— 

P. 395. 
Reani' Mich., 85— Abraham, 141— 

H., 364— J., 328. 
Reisinger, G. W., 306, 575. 
Ressler, Jacob, 142, 309. 
Reineck, Wm., 350— W. H., 415. 
Reisland, H., 338. 
Reif, iS., 355— J., 368— D. F., 400— 

M. E., 450. 
Reich, Geo., 231, 393. 
Reiohman, L. W., 302. 
Reynolds, I., 415. 
Redman, G., 441. 
Reinhart, J. S., 427. 
Rickert, S., 581. 
Richards, J., 439. 
Rlckenbroat, E., 454. 
Riemensnyder, A., 390. 
Ringer, G. W., 580. 
Rieder, D., 408. 
Rinker, J. M., 384. 
Risius, J., 393. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



657 



Rishel, David, 266, 288— G., 317— P. 

H., 339— f am. hist.. 86. 
Rickel, John, 128. 
Rissman, Jos., 255, 365. 
Richardson, J. J., 
Rhorback, Adam, 318, 581. 
Rhoads, S. G., biog., 550— W. W. 

347-nH., 358— R., 366— J., 439. 
Rhode, E., 386. 
Ross, J. N., 410— Daniel, 459— 

Chas., 451. 
Roessel, C, 430. 
Rose, D. W., 578. 
Row, W., 367. 
Rougrh fam., the, 65. 
Roedge, C, 391— Robb, H., 577. 
Roederer, G., 392. 
Robinson, J., 375, 434 . 
Roth, P., 324— E., 467. 
Roloff, C, 413. 
Rosenberg, J. H., 442. 
Rothermel, C, 448— L., 345. 
Rosenberger, John, 254, 306— D. H., 

370. 
Rogers, B. F., 455— W., 580. 
Rousch, F., 450. 
Rothert, F., 455. 
Rohland, Henry, biog., 549— 

David, 317-^X.. P., 355—1. A., 

370; P. E., 452— A. W., 441. 
Riothermund, John, 309. 
Roesch, J. A., 461. 
Rossner, John, 242. — 

Roeher, C, 381. 
Root, F. S., 401. 
Ruble, A.. 370. 
Russ, Mich., 371. 
Rumberger, D. P., 393— H., 415. 
Suhl, L., 356. 
Ruhl, B., 302. 
Ruckstuhl, J., 305. 
Rucker, A. L., 575. 
Ruple, A., 370. 
Runyan, Robt. W., 380. 
Ruppert, J. A.. 305. 



CAYLOR FAM., 94 — Joseph, 
^ biog. of, 550, see 150— ^acob,245 
O. L., 347— F. P., 385, 460— D., 
393— A. J., 435— A. B., 439. 

Sauer, H., 264. 

iSavitz, J., 369. 

Sampsel, A. M., 405. 

•Sahr, A., 462. 

Sands, J. G:, 364. 

Sassman, S., 452. 

SCharf, Fred., 266. 

Schand, J., 390. 

iSchnerr, Jacob, biog., 552. 

Schlosser, Noah, 272. 

Sohell, John, 285. 

Schleuter, C. W., 436. 

fichnee, J. F., 307, 575. 



Schnatz, J. P., 309. 

Scharf, A., 335. 

Schaff, John, 296, 374. 

Schreiber, J. Fred.. 309; P. E., 350. 

Schroeder, F. F., 324. 

Schneck, N., 329. 

Schuerman, L,., 290, 382— W., 464— 
H. M., 438. 

Stfhwand, W., 345. 

Schmucker, E., 365— G. C, 464. 

Schmall, G., 355. 

Schott, Geo., 290— W. P., 441, 

Scheitler, C, 366. 

Schwartz, F., 381. 

Schnake, C. A., biog., 388— L. C, 
418. 

Schreiber, H., 367. 

Schneller, J., 371. 

Schlenk, A., 371. 

Schneider, S., 372— Geo., 231— Wil- 
liam F., biog., 551— Theobald, 
266; P. E., 401— John, 307; P. 
E.,354— Jacob, 322, 430— W., 364 
— C, 383-^Henry, 407— J., 413— 
D., 414-^H. W., 416 G.. 416— C., 
463. 

Schmaus, J., 370. 

Schnellbacher, J., 596. 

Schuknec*ht, H., 407. 

Schenk, J., 431. 

Schwalm, J., 449. 

Schittler, M. L., 467. 

Schlittler, J., 365. 

Schleh, G. H., 393. 

Schnitz, J. H., 450. 

Schelp, Henry., P. E., 396. 

Schweiker, Wm., 402. 

Schoerin, W., 402. 

SchmoUe, W. J., 442— A., 452. 

Schlorb, G., 449. 

Schweisberger, J., 580. 

Schlegel, H. F., 579. 

Schwab, J. G., 469. 

Scheuer, A., 418— P., 451— L., 365— 
J. W., 413— L., 427— J. M., 451. 

Schafele, Jacob, biog., S52— 396, 
345, 577. 

Schnebly fam., the, 126. 

Schnebel, D., 384. 

Schlagenhauf, J., 438. 

Schmus, W., 382. 

Schmidt, Wm., 264— Geo. C, 266, 
297— L., 327-nA., 372— G. H., 385 
—J. A., 384— R., 395— F., 402— 
C, 402— R., 412— G. J., 439, 462. 

Schweitzer, F., P. E., 450— J. S., 
468— J<yhn, 309— A., 452— F., 375. 

Smith, Philip, 61— Pres A. Smith, 
196— Ch., 281-HSamueI, 317; P. 
E., 373— Philip, 348— J. P., 356— 
J. R., 389— R., 390— E. W., 393— 
I. A., 393— J., 400— J. W., 401— 
F., 406— J. E., 428-^L. H., 432- 
J., 437— G. S., 440— H. A., 448— 



668 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



J., 454— !S., 456— A. L., 462— J. 

W., 574— G. B., 575— J. H., 577— 

H. H., 579— E. W., 580. 
Serf, T. W., 433. 
Se&er, Shem, 317— Geo., 446— J., 

364. 
Sensel* John, 244, 303. 
Seitz, John, 112. 
Sexton, H. M., 412. 
Seebold, T., 308. 
Seip, J. S., 367— E. R., 453— W. A., 

407. 
Seclirist, J., 336— F., 356— J. G., 367 

—J. R., 424. 
Seifffried, J. R.. 36^— C. W., 580. 
Seither, L., 332. 
Seder, L., killed, 341— H., 452— D., 

452. 
Seybert, John, ibiog., 529— James 

L. W.. 275; P. E., 328--Samuel 

W., 277; P. E., 331. 
Seebolt, G., 402. 
Searle, H. T., 424. 
Sheary, S. F., 406. 
Shank, W. M., 581. 
Shoepflein, C, 336; P. E., 456— W.j 

456. 
Shuh, S., 350. 
Shuman, P., 412. 
Shoemaker, H., 329— W. A., 366— 

W. E., 389— E., 416. 
iShuttler, A. J., 461. 
Shambacher, J., 392. 
Shambach, J., 393. 
Shenberger, A. W., 370; P. E., 526. 
Shissler, W., 381. 
Shaible, T., 427. 
Shirk, M. D., 384. 
.Shoop, S., 386, 368— N., 357— J. M., 

410— M. F., 426. 
Shuster, C, 386— W., 394. 
S'herrick, W. W., 413— D., 346. 
iShuler, W., 439. 
Shultz, Abr., 271— E., 329— E., 363— 

S., 350— J. K., 403— O., 456— H., 

388, 459— J., 393— C, 413— J., 432 

Sholty,*'wm'., 230— H. L., 321, 

Shower, Fred., 221, 236— Thee, 442. 

Shaffer, Absalom, 148, 152— Geo., 
252— John, 261, 266— Jacob, 296 
—Geo., 315, 349— C, 375— F., 412 
— W. B., 435— H., 436— J. A., 460 
—J., 363— W. D., 382. 

Shuler, Jac, 356— W. W., 354.— 

Shannon, M. H., 336— W. P., 425. 

Shimer, J., 356, 352. 

Shomo, C, 340. 

Shortess, S., I., 353— T. A., 4#6— J., 
D., 430. 

Shelp, Henry, 304; P. E, 

Shilling, John, 140, 223, 

ShrefHer, John, 245. 

Shaver, M. R., 576. 



Shesser, J., 375. 

Shatz, Phil., 304. 

Shiry, J., 399— S. S., 435. 

Sheldon, C. E., 464— M. A., 578,581. 

Shier meyer, F. J., 417. 

Shimp, J. H., 454. 

Shubert, L., 249— F., 401. 

Sill, Daniel, 265— Wm< aOS— J. C, 

429. 
Siberling, C, 358. 
Siewert, L. M., 438. 
Sickle, G. A., 357. 
Sindlinger fam., the, 106— John, 

245, 255, 444— iMich., 106, 260. 
Sichley, Elias, 244, 390— H., 336. 
Simmons, W., 394. 
Simpson, W., 477. 
Simon, G., 365— B., 391. 
Skogsberg, ,S., 437. 
Sloat, Mich., 327, 453. 
Slagel, C. D., 454. 
Smoyer, B. J., 351; P. E., 448. 
Snyder, M. J., 430— L., 434— F. L., 

467— E., 351— C. iN., 410— A. H., 

448— L., 297— B. F., 463— W.,455. 
Sneadon, R.,380. 
Sommerville, Albert, 320. 
Sorber, W., 578. 
Sohl, H., 426. 
Soliday, J. M., 369, 588. 
Soldane, L., 443. 
Sones, C. L., 453. 
Sorg, G., 453. 
Southland, J., 413. 
Spies, C. A., 317, 426— S. F., 432. 
Speicher, D. D., 456— C. C, 448. 
Speck, M., 329. 
Spate, P., 407— Geo., 413. 
Spittler, H., 381. 
Spreng, Geo. F., 268, 339— Samuel 

P., 401; P. E., 450; Ed Ev. 

Mess., 471— E., 450— Otto, 413. 
Spring, Jacob, 317. 
Spohn, J., 271. 
Spangler, Christopher, 87, 308— D, 

D., 467— Ira E., 574. 
Spielman, Conrad, 307. 
Spotts, J. H^, 580. 
Springer, J., 408. 
Speich, P., 337. 
Speeht, Joseph, 319. 
Spotts, J., 348— J. H., 580— R., 320. 
Stamm, Martin, 332; P. E., 413— 

G., 443. 
Stanford, Wesley M., 373. 
Stayman, S., 367. 

Stahley, A., 295; P. E., 320— R., 403. 
Staebler, J. G., 302, 389— S., 442— J., 

468— D. S., 463— C, 407. 
Stattler, J., 308. 
Stegner, Wm., 314; P. E., 358, 444 

J. L., 372— C, 391-^W. C, 402. 
Steck, T., 264. 
Stortz, G., 371. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



659 



Steltzer, S., 327. 

Steel, J. E., 579— Chas., 283. 

Steelsmith, P. D., 580. 

Staffield, C, 395; P. E., 461. 

Stapleton, A., 373. 

Stapf, L., 452. 

Steltz, A. S., 410. 

Stoltz, J., 394. 

Stellrecht, H., 383. 

Stadlander W., 381. 

Stark, A., 461. 

Stambach, John, 221, 237— BJiias, 

272— W. D., 443. 
Stevens, F., 575. 
Stetter, J. O., 336. 
Steffy, M. W., 307; P. E., 340— C. 

A., 431. 
Strauch, H., 309; P. E., 406. 
Strayer, D., 320, 389. 
Stroup, C, 373— A., 369— J., 400— C. 

S., 406. 
Stengel, J., 454. 
Stuebe, K. P., 371— A., 331. 
Stuckey, C, 364. 
Stuckhow, C, 374. 
Stecher, F., 390. 
Steckley, M., 373, 441. 
Stewart, J. E., 390. 
Stermer, J., 439. 
Steuwigr, C. F., 402— F. E., 365. 
Steuernag-el, C, 349. 
Stirk, Amos M., hiog., 635. 
StrasSberger, Wm., 296— S., 581. 
Strickler, S., 305. 
Stroh fam., 52— ^Adam, 266. 
Streicher, G., 456. 
Stoetzel, Henry, 252, 577. 
Strohman, Daniel, 296; P. E. 
Strohmeyer, A., 314; P. E., 391. 
Stroble, L., 337. 
Strine, D. M., 406. 
Staufaoher, J. E., 402— L., 451. 
Stock, L., 417. 
Sturn, H., 461. 
Streyffeler, S. H., 581. 
Stouffer, H. S., 454— W., 457— F. G., 

424— W. H., 424— H.. 147, 221— 

C, 345— D. S., 369— H. S., 370— 

J., 449. 
Stedke, J. H. 
Steinbach, J. W., 39t. 
Steininger, G., 468. 
Stoebel, F., 346. ^ 

Stoke, H. A., 348. 
Stover, Elias, biog., 552— Fred., 

289, 295— J., 35»-W. H., 367— 

John, 386— J. D., 393. 
Stone, J., 416. 
Strohm, J. G., 297, 575. 
Stoops, J. E., 442. 
Stall, D., 435. 
Strobe. D., 461. 
Stoll fam., the, 125— John, 229— 

William, 234— John, 309; P. E., 



332— D., 349— W. H., 357, 400— 
S., 308— J. O., 401— A., 381. 

Strickfaden, A., 386. 

Suhr, Theo., 385; P. E., 453— Chas. 
425. 

Sutton, D. L., 317, 364— Abr., 884, 

Summers, H. B., 345. 

Sutter, J., 392. 

Swiely, Phil., 320, 459. 

Sweetland, L., 416. 

Swengel, J. G. M., 340— U. F., 356; 
P. E., 424— Edwin, 370— A. W., 
430. 

Swartz fam., the, 144— Daniel, 275 
—Philip, 290 — Simon, SOS- 
Andrew, 320— F., 440— G., 468— 
Geo., 415— Geo., 837— F., 390— 
J., 398. 

Swiegert, A. M., 577. 

Swender, C. M., 437. 

Swenk, J. A., 451. 

Swan, A., 450. 

Swart, D., 452. 

Sukow, W., 443. 

Sydow, J. A., 438— C. W., 376— C, 
391. 

TARNUTZEiR, A., 309; P. E., 417. 
* Taelerheit, W., 368. 

Taylor, Jos., 414. 

Teats, A. R., 317— A. W., 353, 367. 

Teter, R., 430. 

Tesch, W., 457. 

Terwilliger, A. F., 389. 

Tenny, Peter, 332. 

Theide, Jos., 385. 

Theis, F., 428. 

Theilke, J.. 433. 

Theuer, Geo., 302; P. E., 425. 

Thomson, J. W., 574. 

Thoren, H. H., 454. 

Thornton fam., 65— P., 337. 

Tichnall, M., 411 . 

Tim, J., 372. 

Townsend, L. A., 578. 

Torry, S., 413. 

Tot hero, F. R., 323, 459. 

Tostleben, F., 426. 

Toedeman, H., 387. 

Thomas fam., hist., (Lrancaster 
Co.), 49— (Mifflin Co.), 58— 
David, 49, 222— Christian, 243— 
Henry, 246— C. A., 323, 422— C., 
323— Wesley P., 356— John F., 
388— H. A., 401— H. W., 306— 
M. IS., 460. 
obias fam., hist., 27— Samuel, 233,- 
332, 429, 580— Daniel, 245— F. R., 
265-1,. B., 340— J., 374— J. H., 
453— David, 459. 

Trautman, J., 457. 

Trapp, W., 374. 

Transue, J. A., 392. 

Traeger, W., 297. 



660 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER 



V' 



Troyer, Jacob, 358— C, 366— E.,366, 

36S. 
Trayer, T., 354. 
Trimmer, C, 358. 
Trapp, E., 366. 
Triem, C. J. W., 5S1. 
Trezlze, J., 406. 
Trumpf heller, H. H., 466. 
Trumbauer, Jac, 304— M., 369— H. 

M., 432. 
Truby, Joseph, 133, 262, 314. 
Trumater, Jacob, 318. 
Turner, E. E., 346— J. M., 467. 
Tylor, J., 449. 

[BER, W., 328. 

Ude, C, 318. 
Utt, E. B., 383; P. E., 575. 
Umbreit, T., 350— >H., 369. 
Umbadh, Jos. 306; P. E., 411— S. 

L., 374; P. E., 431. 
Unholtz, A., 354; P. E., 431. 
Unangst, W. A., 413— C, 575. 
Uphouse, B., 287. 
Urbino, Virgil, 437. 

^ V-A^NI^EiRSALL.. JOHN, 119, 229, 
^ 234— Jacob, 119, 304— F., 336— A. 

368; P. E., 450. 
Vallerc'hamp, Azima, 280,-308. 
Van Gundy, Samuel, 246, 261. 
Vail, J. P., 329— Hon. C. F., 380. 
Vandyke, J., 389— E. B., 393. 
Vanderberg-, J., 441. 
Vanson, H., 406. 
Vonedi, I., 393. 
Vauble, C. 454. 
Vetter, Geo., 307— W. J.. 462. 
Vincent, C, 451— T. T., 578. 
Vogle, W., 451. 
Voelker, H., 413. 
Voegelein, F. W., 372; P. E., 419; 

Miss, to Japan, 483— A. J., 412. 
Von, Freeden E., 329. 
Vossler, J., 389. 
Von Wald, L.., 304; P. E., 371. 
Von Eschen, Geo., 319, 427— J., 350. 
Vogelbach, Jacob, 249. 
Vougrht, J., 364— F. S., 406— J. H., 

425. 

U/^I^TER PAM., hist., (Lebanon 

^^ Co.), 4&-CSnyder Co.). 63— 
John, biog., 5l9— John, jr., 221 
—Michael, 221, 317— Moses, 322, 
370— J., 367— F., 401— W., 443— 
M., 452— F., 464. 

Walton, S. A., 456— M., 367, 373. 

Walil, Fred.. 261. 

Wales, G. W., 358, 371— G., 366. 

Wade, B. F., 372. 359. 

Walker, Q., 418— F., 308— W. L., 
441. 

Waldhausen, W., 451. 
Walkey, J. W., 328; P. E., 374, 



Ward, J. B., 454. 

Walch, A., 369. 

Wallace, W. N., 370-<E. C, 463, 

575 
Warfield, W., 372— A. W., 384. 
Ware, F., 578. 
Waterman, W., 393. 
Waltz, C, 413— John, 302, 422, 476— 

Prof. W. E., 198, 439, 483. 
Wagoner, Philip, biog., 553-^Wil- 

liam, 242— Charles, 252— John, 
I 279— P., 354— W., 366— Alex., 371 

— ^H., 393— G. W., 405— J., 415— 

W. H., 428— Lr. H., 438— H., 443. 
Weber, Joseph, 263— Solomon, 291 

— C, 467— W. W., 384. 
Weikel, Jacob, 286, 429. 
Weand, Henry, 129, 226— Daniel, 

271, 577— W. K., 353. 
Weaver, A., 320-*A., 36e— W. W., 

373— S., 395— J., 393. 
Werner, M., 369— C, 365— J., SOS- 
Samuel, 313— H.. 331— J. L., 351. 
Weiridh, Geo., 265. 295, 554— H. E., 

384— J. F.. 365. 
Weigand, H., 441— C, 402; P. E., 

468— W., 411. ^ 

Weidle, J., 424— J. A., 574. 
Weidner, W. H., 348-^. F., 384. 
Weldy, Henry, 281— J. C, 392. 
Weller, J. Q. A., 336; P. E., 411. 
Wellner, J., 374. 
Wessler, W., 310. 
W^hr, A., 355. 
Weis, W. C, 430. 
Weiscl, H., 331. 
Wengerd, J. P., 354— L.. 383; P. B., 

418— E., 385— J., 416. 
Wendt, H., 461. 
Welch, J. H., 435. 
Wentz, T. L., 434, 
Weihe, F., 302. 
Weishaar, E., 456. 
Weisbrodt, E., 366. 
Weidemeyer, P. C, 400. 
Weidenhammer, C. T., 405. 
Weidenheft, W., 442. 
Weithaupt, Fred., 281. 
Welty, P. M., 323— M. P., 437. 
Welser, H., 314. 
Webb, B., 468. 
Westheffer, Henry, 249. 
Weigman, A., 454. 
Wessling, C, 310. 
White, G. W. 
WTieeler. J., 436, 373. 
Witt, Samuel. 130, 226— C. L.. 374; 

P. E., 450— S. H., 387. 
Wittenweiler, M., 137; P. E., 394. 
Wittltth, L., 426. 
Wier, E., 357. 

Wittington, W.. 336; P. E., 407. 
Wise. John, 84— E., 359; P. E., 395 
— B., 332— C, 349-H. J.. 454. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



661 



Wilson, Elija;h, 280— E. B., 301— 
G,. 407— C. W., 457— G., 457— J.. 
380— E„ 384. 
Williams, L., 345— A. E., 453. 
Williamson, A., 460. 
Wiest, Peter, 246— fiamuel L., 366, 

422. 
Wildermuth, W., 369. 
Wimmer, B., 363. 
Wissler, Henry, 148, 231— H., 432. 
Wing, M. K, 426. 
Winkler, P., 354. 
Wilkinson, L. S., 580. 
Wilkins, A. T., 387. 
Wlegrert, F., 443. 
Wilcox, E., 3^4. 
Winkelwlsch, G., 383, 442. 
Willlhelm, J., 344. 
Wildfang, L., 323. 
Winter, A. C, 443— A., 455, 467. 
Wiohman, A., 463. 
Winfrert fam., the, 121— H., 405. 
Winegarden, B. P., 353. 
Workman, J., 384. 
Woodmansee, D., 465. 
Watter, P., 402. 
Woodhull, J., 367. 
Woodring, P., 321— J. D., 410. 
Woodslde, Thomas, 416, 575. 
Walpert, J. G., 281, 476. 
Worman, L. M., 347. 
Womelsdorf, J., 460. 
Wolthauser, C. W., 469. 
Wolfart, J. P., 373. 
Wohlgemuth, C, 438— C. C, 450. 
Wohrley, J. W., 399. 
Wolf fam., the, 79— Christian, 79, 

245— Andrew, 223— David, 227— 

Aaron, 265— iSimon, 277; P. E., 

344-^ohn P., 29ft— H., 457— C, 

384— tE., 577. 
Wonder fam., the, 60— Daniel, 467 

William, 323— D. H.,332-'Matt., 

349— J., 364. 
Wonderlich, ,M. 355— N. 428. 
Wri^t, (S., 406. 
Wurth, J., 368; P. E., 387— E., 871 

—J., 413. 

VAMBBRT, AARON, 148, 151, 

' 244— J. H., 151, 236. 
Yaggy, J- H., 391; P. E., 438. 
Tauch, M., 354, 465. 
Zulauf, Mich., 286, 370. 



Yenny, P. C, 439. 

Yerlitz, D., 220. 

Yerger, J. P., 344. 

Yearick, S., 344. 

Yeager, G. P., 384— W. J., 466. 

Yeagley, D. M., 467. 

Yeakel, C, 275— Jesse, 303, 338; P. 
E., 403— Reuhen, 305; Cor. Sec. 
Miss. Soc, 326; Ed. S. S. Lit., 
343; Bishop, 378— D., 348— And., 
352—1. W., 369— A. L., 410—1. 
C, 424— E. K., 432. 

Yingst, D., 327— J. A., 403. 

Yt^hn, G., 372. 

Yockle, A., 369. 

Yost, W. W., 303; Cor. Sec. Miss.. 
Soc, 343; Pub., 422— H. R., 380, 
577— W. W.. 448. 

Yoder. N., 370, 441— W., 393— A., 
418. 

Youngblood, J., 3€5. 

Young, H., 245-^Abr., 277, 280— J. 
P. W., 295— Jeremiah, 297, 405 
—Jesse, 319— Geo. W. P., 308— 
John,364— Jacob, 301; Ed. Eng. 
S. S. Lit., 378— Jacob, 359— 
Reuben, 373— Noah, 373— S. S., 
373-^. K., 457— J. A., 463— M. 
B., 575. 

Yundt, J., 389, 449. 

Yudes, W., 469. 



7ANDER, W. P., 418. 

^ Zahn, P., 386. 

Zager, P., 368, 372. 

Zern, J., 319. 

Zehner, Geo. E., 364. 

Zeigler, J. G., 427. 

Zellhofer, G., 329, 459— G. G., 395— 
J M., 402. 

Zeller, P., 320— D., 358— T. B., 411 
— G., 416. 

Zipperer, J., 462. 

Zickerick, W., 309. 

Zimmer, G., 340. 

Ziebm, R. W., 416. 

Zirkle, J. M., 302— B. A., 431. 

Zinger, Jc^n G., 148, biog., 554. 

Zimmerman fam., hist., 31— Leon- 
ard, 262— Jacob, 313, 368— P., 
337; P. E., 442—1., 356— J., 372— 
IH., 394— P., 462. 

Zoerb, C, 462. 



General Index and Ministerial Register of tlie United 
Evangelical Cliurcli-1891-1' 



ALBRIGHT Collegriate Inst., 611 
^ —College grade, 621-631. ( 
Allgemeine Zeitung, est., 568. 

PIBLE Conference, the first, 595. 
Board of Publication, 607, 825. 
Board of Missions, 607, 625. 
Bruder Bund, exposure of, 576. 

pATECHISiM, German, 613— 
^ English, 624. 

Central Pennsylvania College,631. 
Charitable Soc, est., 606, 613. 
Church building, 596, 612. 
Churc^h Purchasing, 612, 
Church Extension Soc, 625. 
Course of Study, 624. 
Cleveland Leader, quoted, 582. 

n ALL AS College, 636. 

Deed, new form of, 606. 
Discipline, the new, 605, 606, 607. 

EDUCATIONAL AID SOC, 580. 
Ecumenical Council of Meth- 
odism, 603^623. 

Ettinger, J. M., death of, 612. 

Evangelical, the, est., 567. 

Evangellsche Zeitechrift, 605. 

Evangelical Association, disrup- 
tion of, 557— ^-Ecumenical Coun- 
cil difficulties, 559-^Japan Mis- 
sion,560— Trial of H. B. Hartz- 
ler, 563— ^Ruling of Bishop 
Dubs, 563— ^E>rotest of the Mi- 
nority, 565 — Artbitration pro- 
posed, 590, 612— .Litigation in- 
stituted, 581, 592, 596, 600, 613— 
Gen. Conf., call for, 584. 



PRATERNAL 
* 604, 623. 



DELEGATES, 
Foreign Mission, 605, 637. 

UEIL, W. F., pamphlet of, 579. 
* * Hymn Book, 606. 615 618. 



l^^'EYSTONE LEAGUE, the. 586. 

*^ 624, 627. 

Krecker, Mrs. Elizabeth, work of 



I AY CONVENTIONS, 586. 

Lay Representatives, 603. 
Literary Institutions, 631. 
Living Epistle, noted, 572. 

MISSIONARY SOC, the, 627-iW. 
^" M. S., 629. 

Missionary Tidings, the, 630. 
Mohn, J. G., missionary Treas., 
628. 



N 



BW YORK INDEPENDENT, 
quoted, 571, 591. 
North Western Conf. Formed,624, 
637. 

PLATTE RIVER CONF. EX- 
* CINDED, 569. 
Settlement effected, 617. 

DBiSTRICTIVB RULES, adopt- 
'"^ ed, 606. 

"Regular" Evangelical Associa- 
tion, 593-595. 

CMOYER, B; J., resigns, 612. 
^ Statistics, 640. 

Supreme Court, decisions of, 59S, 
599, 600, 613. 



yHOREN, Pres. H. H. 



«38. 



u 



NITED EVANGELICAL 
CHURCH, organized, 600, 605; 
Historical Article on, 606; 
Polity of, 606; Bounds of, 608, 
615, 624, 637. 



WESTERN UNION COLLEGE. 
^^ est., 638. 



662 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



AFFROTH, CARL, 620. 

^ Aroh, C. H., 592. ' 
Artman, D. B., 588. 
Arnold, W. L.., 612. 
Andrews, Robert, 610. 
AlsTjach, W., 613. 
Afflebach, A. J., 611. 

DAILEY W. E., 593. 
^ Baine, D., 614. 
Bair, H. H., 622. 
Bear, I. N., 583. 
Barlett, S. H., 617~T. J., 620. 
Bach, Theo., P. E., 589. 
Ballentine, W. J., P. E., 615. 
Bamford, J., 598. 
Barnliart, G., 614. 
Beebe, J. L., 621. 
Seller, C. P., 617. 
Berkey, A. P., 5d3. 
Belzer, F., P. E., 611. 
Berkey, Daniel, 620. 
Bender, H., 583— J. C, 617. 
Bissel, J. W., 594. 
Biggrs, J. O., 593. 
Bliem, C, 616. 
Borrows, J. J., 583. 
Bowman, Prof., C. A., 598, 631— Dr. 

J. C, 622. 
Boyer, A. G., 613. 
Borger, M. E., 597. 
Boozer, Leon, 617. 
Brown, W. H., 588— G. W., P. E., 

589. 
Brownmiller, A. W., 582. 
Brooker, E. W., 611. 
Busse, F., P. E., 614. 
Bull, J. A., 593. 
Busenberg, T. C, 599. 
Buzzard, J., 611— Joseph, 617. 
Burson, G. L., 619. 
Byers, D. B., 619, 634. 

C ARM ANY. VINTON, 620-J, 
^ J., P. E., 621* 
Carothers M. J., 619, 633. 
Caton, W., P. E., 589^Sol. J., 609. 
Christ, W. J., 614. 
Chamberlain, A. W., 596. 
Chubb, S. H., 588— S. S., P. E., 588 

— E., 631. 
Clark, U. S., 583— J. R., 597. 
Cline, J. W., 583. 
Cox, W. B., 588. 
Crouch, M. T., 583. 
Crow, C. T., 615. 
Grosser, Ralph, 617. 
Crawford, O. P., 639. 
Crumbling, E., P. E., 620. 
Curry, J. Q. A., P. E., 620, 
Currin, E., 583. 

HAY, J. H., 611. 

^ Dayton, I. E., 556. 



Danzer, F. G., 613. 

DeWall, J. J., 620. 

Devol, F., 594. 

De Groot, C. W., 589, 609. 

Dech, H. A., 613--W. J., 616. 

Dillow, S. B., P. P., 590. 

Dissinger, S., 610. 

Dice, L. M., 614— W. J., 619. 

Doebler, Noah, 622. 

Dosch, G. H., 588. 

Dorner, J. W., P. E., 589. 

Dubs, R., Bishop, 586— C. N., Ed. 

Ev. Zeitschrift, 625; Supt. 

China Miss., 637— N. J., 610. 
Dunn, E. B., 596. 
Duffy, A., 593. 

CBERT, W. J., 616. 
^ Eby, W. J., 619. 
Edleman, W. J., 588. 
Einsel, Lewis, 596. 
Ellis, P. L., 639. 
Ender, J. H., 588. 
Ehrhart, J. B., 596. 
Ettinger, J. M., 612, 540. 
Eller, J., 597— Emanuel, 614. 
Erisman, A. L., 616. 
Esley, Asbury, 614. 
Evans, A., P. E,, 590. 

PARNSWORTH, E. D., 594. 

* Ferch, Aaron, 620. 

Ferner, J. H., 683. 

Feitt, B. F., P. E., 597. 

Presch, J., 617. 

Fisher, B., 598— P. E., 619. 

Pindley, W., 597. 

Poss, J. H.. 596. 

Posnacht, H., 5»t. 

Pocht, G., 589. 

Pry, I., 588— C. F., 639. 

Pox, J. B.. 639. 

Pouke, W. H., P. E., 614. 

Fulcomer, E., 593^W. N., 610. 

Fuessele, E. P., 611. 

riARDNER, J. L., 588. 
^ Garrett. W., 592. 
Gamber, J. H., 589. 
Gampe, R., 598. 
Garr, Jerome, 619. 
Gill, W. R., 597. 
Gramley, A. D., 610. 
Gross, G. W., P. E., 588. 
Graham, J. P., 617. 
Gruber, J., 613. 
Gottschalk, D. H., 619. 
Guinter, C. W., 617. 

TJASSE.NPFLUG, GEO., 616, 542. 
'^ Harper, J. S., 616. 
Hartman, B., 603. 
Harris. J. A., 620. 
Hass, S. G., 616. 



664 



lADEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



Hawk, N. S., 596. 

Hamilton, W., 612. 

Hartzler, J., P. E.. 588— H. B., Ed. 

Ev., 613. 
Harlacher, Jos., 596, 542. 
Haefele, A., P. E., 597. 
Haman, C. S., Bishop, 546. 
Hamon, J. M., 621. 
Hartenstein, E. H., 596, 622. 
Habn, P., 614— Eli, 616. 
Hagner, A. E., 610— H B^ 619. 
Haehlen, Jacob, 611. 
Heiney, G. W., 593. 
Herrick, Geo., 613. 
Hettrick, F. E., 588. 
Heilman, A. S., 589. 
Heller, J., 588. 
Hensel, H. A., 615. 
Heindel, J. E., 588. 
Hippie, C. W., 588. 
Hilliar, B., 621. 
Holman, F. D., 612. 
Horner, J. T., 610. 
Hoch, W. C, 593. 
Hower, J. F., 617. 
Hoffman, A. C, 617. 
Houch, W. A., 618. 
Hollenbaugh, R. C, 597. 
Holtzappel, Prof. G., 631. 
Hurd, C. T., 617. 
Hunt, L. C, 614. 
Huber, C. D., 588. 
Huelsebus, G., 620. 

IDLEMAN, CHAS. 619. 
* Illich, J. H., 616. 
Irvine, A. H., P. E., 583. 

JACOBS, PROF. OTIS L., 619. 
^ Johnston, I. E., 616— C.C, 617. 
Jones, M. S., 689. 
Jonas, Wm., P. E., 583. 

l/AUPFMAN, C, 596. 
*^ Kaechele, J., 585, 634. 
Kepner, D. L., 583. 
Kerr, J. E., 610. 
Kennelley, M. A. 588. 
Keiss, H. A., 614. 
Kelly, M. B., 620. 
Krause, A., 596. 
Krecker, J. H., 592. 
Kielbeffer, C. K, 617. 
Kistler, E. A., 582. 
Kipplinger, E. L., P. E., 583. 
Knuth, F., 598. 
Kimberlin, C. D., 612. 
Knapp, E., 611. 
Kunkel, J. D., 590. 
Koontz, S. E., 583. 

I AYTON, A. P., 611, 

*- LaRosh, E., 617. 
Landis, H. S., 619. 
Lentz, C. D., 588. 



Lehr, J. O., 592-^. P.. «89. 
Lewis, W., 593. 
Linsley, S. L., 621. 
Liitzenberger, R., 596. 
Liebhart, H. ,M., 619. 
Leiddell, P. N., 620. 
Loehner, Abr., 639. 
Lovell, G. L., 617. 
Lobr, L., 611. 
Longsdorf, D. P., 616. 
Ludwig, P. G, 617. 
Lutz. H. C, 596. 

MAURER. B. K., 588. 

^" Mayer, F. F., 693. 

Maze, W. B., 597— M. T., P. E.,614. 

Martin, J. W., 599— A. H., 616, 

Manwell, C, 613. 

Mace, J. H., 619. 

(Maternas, T., 619. 

Marshall. W. R., 620. 

Mason, F. L., 622. 

Meloy, J. B., 617. 

Mell, A. W., 613. 

Metzger, D. M., 632. 

Meads, N. T., 588. 

Messner, H., P. E., 588. 

Medler, D. A., P. E., 592. 

Meyei^hoff, J., 617. 

Miller, J. G., 596— Wm., 609— A. S., 

616— John, 639— D. K., 620— A. 

E., 621. 
Milliron, J. G, 593. 
Mock, A. C, 597. 
Morris, T. M., 583. 
Arthur, B., 620. 
Morgan, A. L., 611. 
Morga, W. D., 614. 
Musselman, E., 589— A. G., 592. 
Mullen, G. W.. P. E., 620. 
McElhenny, H. E., 597. 
McVicker, E. E., 598. 
McBride, Ira, 611. 
McCray, W. B., 617. 
McDowell, G. C, 620. 

ISJEITZ, H. A., 616. 

^^ Newhouser, J. H., 617. 

QHS, H., 614. 

DARKER, A., 583. 
* Percy, J., 583. 

Peters, D., 588. 
Pettit, J. T., 619. 
Pippin, R. C, 583. 
Powell, J. C, 593. 
Price, H. L., 597-J. M., 619-(H. 
R., 622. 

DAMSEY, J., 593. 
"^ Rabing. B. C, 594. 
Rader, M. M., 594. 



INDEX AND MINISTERIAL REGISTER. 



665 



Randall, M. J., 598. 

Rassweiler, G. F., 617— Prof. H. 

H., 631. 
Reichley, O. W., 617. 
Redeker, C, 614. 
Renshaw, J. A., 612. 
Rider, J. H., 619. 
Rife, E., 611— S. E., P. E., 615. 
Rhoda, W., 619. 
Roth, D. A., 588. 
Rose, J. F., 597— Ross, 588. 
ROhland, S. B., 589—1. A., P. E., 

593, 596— Henry, 549, 613. 
Rummal, W. H., 592. 
Rosenberger, J., 618. 

CANNER, W. M., 614. 

^ Sag-er, N. W., 615. 

Saylor, J., 622. 

Seebolt, T., 616. 

Schiffly, W., 592. 

Schultze, B. R., 593. 

Schneider, J., P. E., 5S9— J.. SCO- 
Henry, 614; P. E., 620. 

Schraffner, M. W., 583. 

Sohupp, J., 614. 

Sellers, J. A., 582. 

Seifert W. G., 593. 

Schmidt, M., 593— L., 597. 

Schmalle, F. A, 614. 

Scobert, L., 616. 

Sehwerin, W. F., 614. 

Seese, H. B., 597. 

Seitz, F. M., 614. 

Snook, H. A., 617. 

Shambach, W. I., 614. 

Shambacher, C. W., 614. 

Sills, J., 589. 

Snavely, J., 622. 

Snioyer, B. J., Cor. Sec. Miss Soc , 
586. 

Shaeffer, D. P., 583— J. A.. 610. 

Shuler, W. W., 611— W., 619. 

Shirk, C. H.. 588. 

Spech, M., 617. 

Snyder, W. H., 616— S. A., 619. 

Smith, F., 582—1. A., 593— H., 610 
—Max., 611— A. W., 615— W. 
C, 618— Ferdinand, 619. 

Stirk, A. M., P. E., 588, 635. 

Stanford, W. M., Bishop, 5S6. 

Stapleton, A., P. E., 610. 

Stauffer, E., 596. 

Stauffacher. J. E., P. E., 611. 

Stambach. E.. 583. 

Steckley, M. M., 592. 

Stewart, C. H., 593. 

Steffy, C. S., 594. 

Stittler, W. W., 617. 

Stinson, G., 594. 

Stover, G. R., 614— H. C, 614. 

Stoke, J., 605. 



Sturgis, L., 583. 

Skinner, J., 617. 

Summers, H. V., 597. 

Sunday, A., 617. 

Swartz, Andrew, P. E., 599. 

TALBOT, C. C, 621. 
* Taylor, C, 621. 
Teel, W. L., 588. 
Torry, S., 597. 

Troyer, E. J., P., P. E., 590. 
Trumbore, M. K., 609. 
Trumbauer, J. B., 589. 
Thompson, G. M., 598— C. A., 620. 
Thomas, J. F., 639. 
Thuran, A., 620. 
Tunnison, A. C, 594. 



U 



BER, W., 590. 
Underkoffler, W. W., 614. 



VAN HORN, E. D., 611. 
Van Evera, J. F., 614. 
Van Meter, R. R., 616. 
Vog-el, A. H., 599. 

U/ ALTER, H. P., 582. 
^^ Watts, G. L., 582. 
Ward, J. W., 610. 
Walker, F. W., 639. 
Waltz, C. A., 617— J. G., 620. 
Waloh, A., 620. 
Wag-oner, B., 613— Chas. H., 613— 

John, 619. 
Weaver, T. C., 590, 616. 
Weiland, I. H., 620. 
Winter, A. A., 614. 
Whitmore, W. H., 593. 
Whitmire, J. G., 588, 639. 
Wiest, S. L., Publisher, 625— L. O., 

588. 
Wise, J. G., 589— J. H., 614. 
Wicks, E. J., 598. 

TVilson. R. E., 610— E.. 614— E., 620. 
Wolford, J., 611. 
Workman, J,, 588. 
Worman, L. N., 618— L. O., 617. 
Wonder, W., 609. 
Woodring-, E., 605. 
Wood, H., 611— L. H., 620— S. M., 

621. 
Wormkessel, C, 609. 

VEAKEL, H. L., 613— E. K., P. 
* E., 614. 
Yearick, S., 588. 
Tehl, O. A., 613. 
Toder, D. C., 593. 
Young, D. F., 593— Noah, P. E..610.. 

TEIGENFUS'S, A., 619. 
^ Zuber, J. W., 588. 





.0 o 






.^^ 



X'" 







"^^ v^ 



0^ 






2 ^^ 




%'- 



.0- 



y' 



ft!?^'''''' 







?>'' /^ 




A>' 






^ ^ 










.^^ ^ 



..-^^ 






n^-^ 



rO' 







O. 



,•0' 















"--^-.^ ,:>.*^ ■^'^ 
















Hr^ ^ o ^ y 

O. 



^^^"-^ 







